0
0
0
Pregnant Women in Custody Act
8/29/2023, 1:00 PM
Summary of Bill HR 6878
Bill 117 HR 6878, also known as the Pregnant Women in Custody Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to address the treatment and care of pregnant women who are in custody, such as those who are incarcerated or detained.
The bill aims to ensure that pregnant women in custody receive appropriate medical care, including prenatal care, nutrition, and mental health services. It also seeks to prohibit the use of restraints on pregnant women during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery, unless deemed necessary for the safety and security of the woman or others.
Additionally, the Pregnant Women in Custody Act requires that facilities housing pregnant women have policies in place to address the unique needs of pregnant women, such as access to prenatal vitamins, appropriate clothing, and accommodations for breastfeeding. Overall, this bill is designed to protect the health and well-being of pregnant women in custody, ensuring that they receive the necessary care and support during this vulnerable time. It aims to promote the dignity and rights of pregnant women, regardless of their circumstances.
The bill aims to ensure that pregnant women in custody receive appropriate medical care, including prenatal care, nutrition, and mental health services. It also seeks to prohibit the use of restraints on pregnant women during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery, unless deemed necessary for the safety and security of the woman or others.
Additionally, the Pregnant Women in Custody Act requires that facilities housing pregnant women have policies in place to address the unique needs of pregnant women, such as access to prenatal vitamins, appropriate clothing, and accommodations for breastfeeding. Overall, this bill is designed to protect the health and well-being of pregnant women in custody, ensuring that they receive the necessary care and support during this vulnerable time. It aims to promote the dignity and rights of pregnant women, regardless of their circumstances.
Congressional Summary of HR 6878
Pregnant Women in Custody Act
This bill establishes requirements to address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth.
The bill requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics to collect data on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels.
With respect to incarcerated women at the federal level, the bill
- requires the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide appropriate services and programs to address the health and safety needs related to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as appropriate health care to a woman with a high-risk pregnancy;
- limits the use of restrictive housing for prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; and
- requires the BOP to report annually on the number of administrative claims and appeals filed by pregnant inmates.
With respect to incarcerated women at the state and local levels, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study the services and protections for pregnant incarcerated women in state and local correctional settings.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 6878
Bill HR 6878 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since December 5, 2022. Bill HR 6878 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on March 1, 2022. Bill HR 6878's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. as of December 5, 2022
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 6878
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
1Republican Sponsors
0Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
72Democrat Cosponsors
66Republican Cosponsors
6Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 6878
Primary Policy Focus
Crime and Law EnforcementPotential Impact Areas
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Administrative remedies
- Child care and development
- Child health
- Congressional oversight
- Correctional facilities and imprisonment
- Cosmetics and personal care
- Criminal justice information and records
- Debt collection
- Department of Justice
- Detention of persons
- Digestive and metabolic diseases
- Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
- Employment and training programs
- Family planning and birth control
- Family services
- Food assistance and relief
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
- Government information and archives
- Government studies and investigations
- HIV/AIDS
- Health care coverage and access
- Health information and medical records
- Health promotion and preventive care
- Hospital care
- Infectious and parasitic diseases
- Judicial procedure and administration
- Law enforcement administration and funding
- Law enforcement officers
- Medical tests and diagnostic methods
- Mental health
- Nutrition and diet
- Poverty and welfare assistance
- Sex and reproductive health
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- State and local government operations
- Women's health
Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 6878
Pregnant Women in Custody Act
Pregnant Women in Custody Act
Pregnant Women in Custody Act
Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women Act of 2022
To address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth, and for other purposes.
Comments
Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 6878
Latest Bills
Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025
Bill HR 1013December 3, 2025
To require public elementary and secondary schools to disclose certain funds received from, or contracts with, a foreign source, and for other purposes.
Bill HR 1005December 3, 2025
Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025
Bill S 2392December 3, 2025
Critical Mineral Dominance Act
Bill HR 4090December 3, 2025
REUSE Act of 2025
Bill S 2110December 3, 2025
Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act
Bill HR 556December 3, 2025
SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025
Bill HR 2483December 3, 2025
Working Families Flexibility Act of 2025
Bill HR 2870December 3, 2025
Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act
Bill HR 1512December 3, 2025
Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025
Bill HR 1355December 3, 2025
Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act
Bill S 5027March 12, 2024
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3372) to authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6878) to address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth,and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8876) to reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 100) to provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees; and for other purposes.
Bill HRES 1499August 31, 2023