SB 486 – Reform Courts and Jails
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Milton Fitch, Jr. (D-Edgecombe, Halifax, Wilson); Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake)
Summary
This bill makes a series of changes related to the criminal justice system, including enacting the Dignity for Women Who are Incarcerated Act. This Act:
- Prohibits the use of restraints on pregnant incarcerated woman during the second and third trimester of pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and during the six-week postpartum recovery period except in certain specified instances.
- Prohibits invasive body cavity searches of an incarcerated woman who is pregnant or in the postpartum recovery period except in certain specified instances.
- Prohibits the use of restrictive housing for incarcerated women who are pregnant or are in the six-week postpartum recovery period except in certain specified instances.
- Requires the Department of Public Safety or the administrator of a correction facility to allow a newborn to remain with the incarcerated woman for at least 72 hours unless the medical provider has a reasonable belief that doing so poses a health or safety risk to the newborn.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021