Bill > HB138

This bill, known as the Alabama Women's Childbirth Alternatives, Resources, and Education (CARE) Act, establishes a specialized legal process for pregnant women facing incarceration. Upon jail admission, women must disclose pregnancy status and receive a pregnancy test, and if pregnant, courts are directed to release them on bail if they do not pose a significant community threat. For pregnant women sentenced to imprisonment, the bill mandates a pre-incarceration probation period that covers the entire pregnancy and 12 weeks postpartum, during which the woman will be supervised remotely via phone or electronic communication. Fines and fees are suspended during this period, and the woman is expected to maintain perinatal healthcare and participate in available education and resource programs. At 12 weeks after giving birth, the woman must surrender herself to the correctional facility, with failure to do so constituting a Class A misdemeanor. The probation time will be credited toward her original sentence, and the woman must report any pregnancy loss to her probation officer within 72 hours. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025, and aims to provide alternatives for pregnant women in the criminal justice system while ensuring public safety and supporting maternal health.