HB585 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Prisoners, adopting federal procedures for use of restraints on pregnant women

Summary

HB585 would adopt federal rules to limit restraints on pregnant prisoners in Alabama, with required reporting, training, and oversight.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, pregnant prisoners would generally not be placed in restraints from pregnancy confirmation through postpartum recovery, except in narrowly defined cases. When restraints are allowed, only the least restrictive options may be used, and certain restraint methods (like ankle/leg/waist restraints, hands behind the back, four-point restraints, or tying prisoners to others) would be prohibited. The bill requires detailed reporting within 30 days after restraint use, notifies the prisoner within 48 hours after pregnancy confirmation, and mandates annual compliance reports to lawmakers, along with staff training and health care professional input. It also creates a process for reporting violations and requires consultation with health care experts on pregnancy care when developing guidelines.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant prisoners in Alabama, who would be protected from restraints during pregnancy and postpartum except in narrowly defined situations, and who would receive timely notification and have reporting requirements.
• Corrections officials, law enforcement officers, health care professionals, and state agencies involved, who would implement the rules, document restraint use, provide training, report compliance, and coordinate with health care staff.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits placing a pregnant prisoner in restraints from pregnancy confirmation until postpartum recovery, with exceptions for flight risk, immediate danger, or medical safety as determined by a health care professional.
• Requires the use of the least restrictive restraints when exceptions apply and bans certain restraint methods (ankle/leg/waist restraints, hands behind the back, four-point restraints, or restraining a prisoner to another prisoner).
• Allows restraint removal or non-use if a health care professional requests it, and requires documentation of restraint use (including facts, reasoning, type and duration, and observed effects) in a 30-day written report to the commissioner, Warden of Julia Tutwiler Prison, and the responsible health care professional.
• Annual and initial compliance reports must be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Judiciary Committee, with non-identifying data to protect privacy (HIPAA-compliant).
• Requires 48-hour notification to the prisoner after pregnancy is confirmed about restraint restrictions.
• Creates a process for prisoners to report restraint violations and requires staff training guidelines on recognizing pregnancy complications, exception handling, safe restraint application, reporting requirements, and honoring health care professionals’ requests.
• Training guidelines must be developed by the commissioner, the Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, and the Warden of Julia Tutwiler Prison, with input from health care professionals experienced in pregnancy care.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Prisons and Prisoners