New Bill Aims to Improve Care for Pregnant Inmates

Congresswoman Sydnei Kamlag Dove from California introduced a bill known as the Pregnant Women Custody Act, aimed at improving the treatment of pregnant women in prisons and detention centers across the United States. The proposed legislation requires proper tracking of pregnancy health outcomes and seeks to expand data collection on abuse that occurs in detention facilities, which is often underreported.

The bill was inspired by a joint investigation by Bloomberg Law and NBC, revealing serious harm experienced by pregnant women in detention from 2017 to 2024, including reports of miscarriages and inadequate medical care. Kamlag Dove emphasized the need for accurate data to address these issues.

The bill also aims to establish minimum healthcare standards for pregnant inmates, including access to vitamins and emergency care, while limiting the use of restraints on pregnant detainees. Additionally, Amanda Cappelletti from Pennsylvania introduced a separate bill to reduce the detention of pregnant women who cannot afford bail, highlighting the urgent need for reform in maternal health treatment standards.