Bill > H2703

This bill proposes amendments to existing anti-shackling legislation for pregnant incarcerated women, with several key provisions aimed at strengthening protections. It defines "postpartum recovery" as the period immediately following childbirth, lasting at least 6 weeks or longer as determined by a physician, and expands the definition of medical professionals who can make determinations about a woman's medical condition to include emergency medical personnel. The bill prohibits the use of restraints on pregnant or postpartum inmates "under any circumstances or in any setting" and requires both state and county correctional facilities to conduct annual staff training on these restrictions. Additionally, the legislation mandates that any time restraints are used on a pregnant or postpartum inmate, the facility superintendent or administrator must submit a detailed report within 48 hours to the secretary of public safety and security, describing the incident without revealing the individual's identity. The secretary is then required to compile and submit an annual public report to the legislature detailing compliance with the anti-shackling law, including all incidents involving the use of restraints, by July 1st each year.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2703