Bill > A04879

This bill aims to improve the health, safety, and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, birthing parents, and their children by requiring the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish comprehensive rules and regulations. Key provisions include defining terms like "birthing parent" (any incarcerated person who is pregnant, postpartum, or has custody of a child up to 24 months old), "prenatal" (the period from conception to birth), "perinatal" (the 12 weeks before and after birth), and "postpartum" (the 12 weeks after birth, including stillbirth, miscarriage, and neonatal death). The bill mandates that incarcerated pregnant individuals receive comfortable accommodations, medical care, and that restraints are prohibited during transport, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery, except in extraordinary circumstances with strict documentation. It also ensures birthing parents have access to a support person of their choice, including doulas or midwives, and that correctional staff are not present in the delivery room unless requested. Furthermore, the bill outlines extensive requirements for prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care, including regular medical appointments, ultrasounds, dental care, mental health services, and appropriate nutrition and hydration. It also establishes guidelines for children remaining with their birthing parents in correctional facilities, allowing children up to 18 months old to stay, with provisions for older children and strict conditions for separation. The bill also mandates annual training for correctional personnel on these provisions and requires reporting on the use of restraints. Finally, it amends the definition of "special populations" to include individuals in the first twelve weeks of postpartum recovery or caring for a child in a correctional institution.