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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 3563 (116th)

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

27 June 2019

Last action

30 July 2019 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Sponsors

Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], CAROLYN MALONEY, Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Adriano Espaillat, Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Raúl Grijalva, Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Tony Cárdenas, Juan Vargas, Donna Shalala, Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Earl Blumenauer, Marcy Kaptur, Grace Napolitano, Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Gwen Moore, BOBBY RUSH, Alma Adams, Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Jesús García, Vicente Gonzalez, Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], James McGovern, Diana DeGette, Rosa DeLauro, ALCEE HASTINGS, Debra Haaland, Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Gilbert Cisneros, Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, TJ Cox, Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Ann Kuster, Scott Peters, Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Kathy Castor, Pete Aguilar, Al Lawson, Val Demings, Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], PETER DEFAZIO, LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

Subjects

Healthcare, Immigration, Transport

Source updated

20 January 2026

Healthcare · Immigration · Transport

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining a woman during pregnancy or postpartum recovery and must immediately release any detainee found to be pregnant, unless such woman presents an immediate and serious threat of hurting herself or others. A DHS detention facility may not use a restraint on a detainee who is known to be pregnant, including during labor, transport to a medical facility or birthing center, and delivery, or during postpartum recovery, except for medical or safety purposes. The bill requires DHS to use the least restrictive restraint necessary and prohibits certain specified restraint types, including four-point restraints and binding a detainee's hands behind her back. The bill prohibits DHS detention officers from being present during a pelvic exam of a detainee, labor, delivery, or treatment relating to a pregnancy, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If a detention officer is requested by medical personnel, such officer shall be female, if practicable, and remain at a reasonable distance from the detainee. The bill requires that a pregnant detainee shall have access to health care services, including comprehensive services relating to reproductive health care and pregnancy.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 27 June 2019

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 27 June 2019

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 27 June 2019

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 30 July 2019

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

View fileDownload file

Sponsors

Showing 48 of 53 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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