HB 5539 Illinois House · 101st Regular Session

PREGNANT PRISONERS

Summary
Amends the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act. Provides that the Cook County Department of Corrections, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the county sheriffs shall provide training relating to medical and mental health care issues applicable to pregnant prisoners to: (1) each correctional officer employed by the respective Department or sheriff at a facility in which female prisoners are confined; and (2) any other Department or sheriff employee whose duties involve contact with pregnant prisoners. Provides that the Department or sheriff shall develop and provide to each pregnant prisoner educational programming relating to pregnancy and parenting. Provides that the Department or sheriff shall ensure that, for a period of 72 hours after the birth of an infant by a prisoner: (1) the infant is allowed to remain with the prisoner, unless a medical professional determines doing so would pose a health or safety risk to the prisoner or infant; and (2) the prisoner has access to any nutritional or hygiene-related products necessary to care for the infant, including diapers. Provides that the Department or sheriff may not place in administrative segregation a prisoner who is pregnant or who gave birth during the preceding 30 days unless the Director or sheriff or the Director's or sheriff's designee determines that the placement is necessary based on a reasonable belief that the prisoner will harm herself, the prisoner's infant, or any other person or will attempt escape. Provides that the Department or sheriff may not assign a pregnant prisoner to any bed that is elevated more than 3 feet above the floor.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2020
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 14, 2020 Last action Feb 18, 2020
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Full legislative history

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Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 18, 2020
House · Referred to committee
Referred to Rules Committee
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
Co
Photo of Mary Flowers
Mary Flowers
DDemocratic
IL
31