Bill Text: TX HB1140 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Relating to the confinement of pregnant prisoners in county jails.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-06-16 - Effective on 9/1/15 [HB1140 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB1140-Engrossed.html

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By: Israel, White of Tyler, King of Taylor, H.B. No. 1140
Coleman, Stickland, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
rela
ting to reports regarding the confinement of pregnant prisoners
in county jails.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. REPORTS REGARDING PREGNANT PRISONERS. (a) In
this Act, "commission" means the Commission on Jail Standards.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2016, each sheriff shall
report to the commission regarding the implementation in the county
jails in the sheriff's county of policies and procedures to provide
adequate care to pregnant prisoners confined in the jail. A report
to the commission must be on a form prescribed by the commission and
include the following:
(1) a description of the sheriff's actions to comply
with the rules and procedures adopted under Section 511.009(a)(18),
Government Code, and any policies adopted by the sheriff regarding
the placement of a pregnant prisoner in solitary confinement or
administrative segregation;
(2) information regarding the health care provided to
a pregnant prisoner, including the availability of:
(A) obstetrical or gynecological care;
(B) prenatal health care visits;
(C) mental health care; and
(D) drug abuse or chemical dependency treatment;
(3) a detailed summary of the following as applicable
to pregnant prisoners:
(A) nutritional standards, including the average
caloric intake of a pregnant prisoner and other dietary
information;
(B) work assignments;
(C) housing conditions; and
(D) situations in which a pregnant prisoner has
been restrained, including the reason a determination to use
restraints was made under Section 361.082, Local Government Code;
and
(4) the number of miscarriages experienced by pregnant
prisoners confined in the jail between September 1, 2015, and the
date the report is submitted.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2016, the commission shall
compile, analyze, and summarize the information contained in the
reports submitted by sheriffs under Subsection (b) of this section.
The commission shall provide a copy of the summary to:
(A) the governor;
(B) the lieutenant governor;
(C) the speaker of the house of representatives;
and
(D) each standing committee of the senate and
house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over matters
relating to corrections.
SECTION 2. ADOPTION OF FORM. As soon as practicable after
the effective date of this Act, the commission shall prescribe the
form for a report required to be submitted under Section 1 of this
Act.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires February 1, 2017.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2015.