Incarceration, supervised pre-incarceration probation for certain pregnant women provided for, self-surrender 12 weeks after birth required, criminal penalties for failure to surrender provided

HB 138, known as the Alabama Women's Childbirth Alternatives, Resources, and Education (CARE) Act, establishes new procedures for pregnant women in the criminal justice system. It requires pregnancy testing upon jail admission and mandates that courts release pregnant women on bail if they are not deemed a significant threat to themselves or others. For pregnant women sentenced to incarceration, the bill requires a term of pre-incarceration probation, allowing them to defer their sentence until 12 weeks after childbirth. During this supervised probation, fines are suspended, and women must self-surrender 12 weeks postpartum, with failure to do so resulting in criminal penalties.