HR-6878 : Still Just a Bill

Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women Act of 2022

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, and local levels.

With respect to incarcerated women at the federal level, the bill

• requires the Bureau of Prisons 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 and restraints for prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; and
• authorizes prerelease custody for an incarcerated pregnant woman whose due date is within the final year of her term of imprisonment.

With respect to incarcerated women at the state and local level, the bill

• requires the Government Accountability Office to study the services and protections for pregnant incarcerated women in state and local correctional settings; and
• authorizes grants for states, tribes, local governments, or nonprofits to promote the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women by providing obstetrical care, gynecological care, and related services.