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Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

USA119th CongressHR-4664| House 
| Updated: 7/23/2025
Sylvia R. Garcia

Sylvia R. Garcia

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (57)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Julie Johnson (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)George Latimer (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Joaquin Castro (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Wesley Bell (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Lois Frankel (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act," seeks to ensure the humane treatment of pregnant, lactating, and postpartum noncitizens held in federal immigration detention facilities. It applies to individuals detained by any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency under the Immigration and Nationality Act, including those held in facilities under contract with the Department of Homeland Security. A core provision establishes a presumption of release for noncitizens known to be pregnant, lactating, or postpartum, prohibiting their detention unless specific, extraordinary circumstances apply. Detention is only permitted if there are credible, reasonable grounds to believe the individual poses an immediate and serious risk of physical harm to others or an unmitigable escape risk, and if alternative programs cannot address these threats. For those subject to removal, temporary detention is limited to the shortest possible period, not exceeding five days, immediately prior to deportation. The bill generally prohibits the use of restraints on pregnant, lactating, or postpartum noncitizens, including during transport, labor, and delivery. Exceptions are made only in extraordinary circumstances where an individualized determination by a facility administrator confirms an immediate and serious risk of physical harm or escape. Even then, only the least restrictive restraint necessary may be used, and certain types of restraints (e.g., leg, waist, 4-point, face-down) are strictly forbidden, as is any restraint during labor or delivery. Furthermore, the legislation restricts the presence of nonmedical staff during sensitive medical procedures like pelvic exams, labor, and delivery, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. It mandates access to comprehensive healthcare services, including routine prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, lactation services, and family planning, including abortion services. All medical treatments require informed medical consent , and facilities must have arrangements with maternity hospitals for emergencies. To ensure compliance, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide notice of rights to detained noncitizens and annual training for relevant employees. Facility administrators must submit quarterly reports detailing restraint use, the number of pregnant noncitizens, and pregnancy outcomes. The Secretary must audit this data, submit annual reports to Congress, and issue regulations setting minimum standards for medical care, with all reports made publicly accessible while protecting personally identifiable information.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3563
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3993
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6298
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act
Mar 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-916
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3563
    Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3993
    Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6298
    Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act


  • March 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-916
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • S 119-916: Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

USA119th CongressHR-4664| House 
| Updated: 7/23/2025
This bill, titled the "Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act," seeks to ensure the humane treatment of pregnant, lactating, and postpartum noncitizens held in federal immigration detention facilities. It applies to individuals detained by any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency under the Immigration and Nationality Act, including those held in facilities under contract with the Department of Homeland Security. A core provision establishes a presumption of release for noncitizens known to be pregnant, lactating, or postpartum, prohibiting their detention unless specific, extraordinary circumstances apply. Detention is only permitted if there are credible, reasonable grounds to believe the individual poses an immediate and serious risk of physical harm to others or an unmitigable escape risk, and if alternative programs cannot address these threats. For those subject to removal, temporary detention is limited to the shortest possible period, not exceeding five days, immediately prior to deportation. The bill generally prohibits the use of restraints on pregnant, lactating, or postpartum noncitizens, including during transport, labor, and delivery. Exceptions are made only in extraordinary circumstances where an individualized determination by a facility administrator confirms an immediate and serious risk of physical harm or escape. Even then, only the least restrictive restraint necessary may be used, and certain types of restraints (e.g., leg, waist, 4-point, face-down) are strictly forbidden, as is any restraint during labor or delivery. Furthermore, the legislation restricts the presence of nonmedical staff during sensitive medical procedures like pelvic exams, labor, and delivery, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. It mandates access to comprehensive healthcare services, including routine prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, lactation services, and family planning, including abortion services. All medical treatments require informed medical consent , and facilities must have arrangements with maternity hospitals for emergencies. To ensure compliance, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide notice of rights to detained noncitizens and annual training for relevant employees. Facility administrators must submit quarterly reports detailing restraint use, the number of pregnant noncitizens, and pregnancy outcomes. The Secretary must audit this data, submit annual reports to Congress, and issue regulations setting minimum standards for medical care, with all reports made publicly accessible while protecting personally identifiable information.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3563
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3993
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6298
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act
Mar 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-916
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3563
    Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3993
    Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6298
    Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act


  • March 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-916
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sylvia R. Garcia

Sylvia R. Garcia

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (57)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Julie Johnson (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)George Latimer (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Joaquin Castro (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Wesley Bell (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Lois Frankel (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • S 119-916: Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted