# Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

This bill prohibits law enforcement and correctional facilities from shackling pregnant women during labor, delivery, and recovery from childbirth. It also restricts how long pregnant women can be detained in custody, requiring that they be released as soon as possible unless they pose a genuine flight risk or danger to others. The law applies to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as jails and prisons.

The bill addresses a real problem that has affected thousands of pregnant women in the criminal justice system. Currently, some facilities have routinely shackled pregnant inmates during labor and delivery, which medical experts say can cause serious complications for both mother and baby. The practice can restrict movement during contractions, interfere with medical care, and increase risks of falls and injuries. By banning this practice, the bill ensures that pregnant women receive appropriate medical care during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

Beyond shackling, the law also encourages authorities to consider alternatives to detention for pregnant women whenever possible. This means judges and law enforcement officials should explore options like bail, electronic monitoring, or release on their own recognizance rather than keeping pregnant women locked up. The bill recognizes that pregnancy itself shouldn't automatically result in continued detention, and that the risks to both mother and developing baby need to be weighed carefully in custody decisions.

The practical effect is that pregnant women in the criminal justice system will have stronger legal protections during pregnancy, labor, and the immediate postpartum period. If facilities violate these rules, women would have grounds to file complaints and potentially seek legal remedies. This bill essentially brings the criminal justice system in line with medical best practices and basic human dignity standards that already exist in many developed countries.