HB230 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rolanda HollisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Correction Dept., female inmates, prohibited practices regarding treatment of pregnant female inmates or female inmates in postpartum period

Summary

HB230 restricts how pregnant or immediate postpartum female inmates are treated and sets new rules for searches, restraints, medical care, and transfers.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill requires pregnancy testing at intake when pregnancy is suspected, limits certain search practices for pregnant inmates (and must be conducted by health care professionals when exceptions apply), and restricts the use of leg or waist restraints during pregnancy, labor, and the immediate postpartum period. It also requires documentation within two days for restraint or solitary confinement actions, allows medical restraints by licensed health care professionals, and accelerates transfer procedures for pregnant inmates between county jails and state facilities. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant or immediate postpartum female inmates, who gain protections around searches, medical examinations, restraints, isolation, and transfer processes.
• Corrections staff, health care professionals, sheriffs, and penal institutions, who must follow new intake testing, restraint rules, documentation, and transfer obligations.

Key Provisions

• Definitions for custodian, health care professional, immediate postpartum period (six weeks post-childbirth unless extended), officer in charge, penal institution, and pregnant woman.
• Intake screening: pregnancy testing within 72 hours if pregnancy is suspected or known, unless the inmate refuses.
• Search protections: pregnant inmates cannot be forced to squat or cough during strip searches by custodians; health care professionals may conduct searches if needed; vaginal examinations require a health care professional.
• Restraint rules: no leg or waist restraints on pregnant women or during labor and the immediate postpartum period; front-facing leg/wrist handcuffs allowed only if certain risks are present and documented.
• Documentation: all restraint and solitary confinement actions must be documented within two days and reviewed by the officer in charge.
• Medical and isolation allowances: medical restraints allowed to ensure medical safety; isolation in a cell or hospital room allowed to protect medical safety or unborn child, with documentation within two days.
• Transfer provisions: pregnant inmates temporarily held in county jails must be transferred as expeditiously as possible; DOC and sheriffs must facilitate transfers; exemption for inmates sentenced to county jail.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Corrections Department