Senator Whitley Champions Protections for Pregnant Women
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3375
CONCORD – Today, the House Criminal Justice Committee unanimously voted Ought to Pass on SB 393. SB 393, prime sponsored by Senator Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton), limits the use of restraints on pregnant women in county or state correctional custody.
After the vote, prime sponsor Senator Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton) issued the following statement:
“According to the American Psychological Association, women subjected to restraint during childbirth have been shown to report severe mental distress, depression, anguish, and trauma and shackling pregnant women can pose serious health or injury risks to both mothers and their babies. Furthermore, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports policies restricting the use of shackling on incarcerated people throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, transport, and postpartum recovery and indicate that shackling interferes with the ability of clinicians to safely practice medicine and may put the health of the pregnant person and fetus at risk. As amended, SB 393 strives to keep moms, babies, medical staff, corrections staff, and the public all safe during this extremely vulnerable time. I am extremely grateful to the members of the House Criminal Justice Committee for their quick action on SB 393 and look forward to the continued support of my House colleagues.”
###