# Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

This bill sets strict rules about how pregnant women and new mothers can be treated when they're detained by immigration authorities. Right now, there are documented cases of pregnant women being shackled with chains, held in detention for months, and denied proper medical care during pregnancy and childbirth. This bill aims to change that.

The core rule is simple: pregnant women generally cannot be held in immigration detention at all. If someone is found to be pregnant, they must be released immediately. The only exceptions are extremely narrow—if immigration officials have solid evidence that a specific person poses an immediate danger to themselves or others, they might be able to keep them detained, but only temporarily. Even then, officials must review the case every week to see if release is possible. If someone has already received a final deportation order, they can be held for a maximum of five days right before being deported, but no longer.

If a pregnant woman is detained for any reason, the bill prohibits using restraints like handcuffs, leg irons, belly chains, or shackles—the kinds of restraints that have been used on pregnant detainees in the past. Medical staff can only order restraints for actual medical reasons, and even then, only the least restrictive option allowed. Detention officers cannot be present during medical exams, labor, or delivery unless a doctor specifically asks them to be there. The bill also guarantees pregnant detainees access to full prenatal care, postpartum care, lactation services, and other reproductive health services.

The bill requires detention facilities to train their staff on these new rules and to report quarterly on how many pregnant women they're holding and for how long. These reports become public record so the public can see whether facilities are following the law. Pregnant women must be informed of their rights under this law in their native language.

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining an individual during pregnancy or postpartum recovery and addresses related issues. DHS must immediately release any detainee found to be pregnant, unless the detainee presents an immediate and serious threat of hurting themselves or others. A DHS detention facility may not use a restraint on a detainee who is known to be pregnant, including during labor, transport to a medical facility or birthing center, and delivery, or during postpartum recovery, except for medical or safety purposes. The bill requires DHS to use the least restrictive restraint necessary and prohibits certain specified restraint types, including four-point restraints and binding hands behind the detainee's back. The bill prohibits DHS detention officers from being present during a detainee's pelvic exam, labor, delivery, or treatment relating to a pregnancy, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If a detention officer is requested by medical personnel, such officer shall be female, if practicable, and remain at a reasonable distance from the detainee. A pregnant detainee must have access to health care services, including comprehensive services relating to reproductive health care and pregnancy. DHS must provide annual training about this bill's requirements to each employee who has a role in the detention or care of a pregnant detainee or a postpartum parent of a newborn. DHS must also provide each detainee notice of their rights under this bill in the detainee's native language.