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HR 3563 116th Congress House Immigration Abortion Border security and unlawful immigration Congressional oversight Department of Homeland Security Detention of persons Government information and archives Health care coverage and access Health information and medical records Immigration status and procedures Law enforcement officers Medical tests and diagnostic methods Right of privacy Women's health

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Introduced: June 27, 2019 Introduced by: Garcia, Sylvia R. Democratic · Texas See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 30, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jun 27, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 27, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now July 30, 2019

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

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 47
Bass, Karen
· Sep 17, 2020
Jackson Lee, Sheila
· Sep 17, 2020
D
Khanna, Ro
California · Apr 23, 2020
D
Neguse, Joe
Colorado · Nov 18, 2019
D
Pressley, Ayanna
Massachusetts · Sep 12, 2019
DEFAZIO, PETER
· Aug 27, 2019
Demings, Val
· Aug 27, 2019
D
Raskin, Jamie
Maryland · Aug 27, 2019
ROYBAL-ALLARD, LUCILLE
· Aug 27, 2019
Lawson, Al
· Jul 30, 2019
D
Aguilar, Pete
California · Jul 16, 2019
D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · Jul 16, 2019
D
Gallego, Ruben
Arizona · Jul 16, 2019
Kuster, Ann
· Jul 16, 2019
D
Omar, Ilhan
Minnesota · Jul 16, 2019
D
Peters, Scott H.
California · Jul 16, 2019
D
Adams, Alma S.
North Carolina · Jun 27, 2019
Blumenauer, Earl
· Jun 27, 2019
Cárdenas, Tony
· Jun 27, 2019
D
Carson, André
Indiana · Jun 27, 2019
D
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
California · Jun 27, 2019
D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Jun 27, 2019
D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Jun 27, 2019
D
Escobar, Veronica
Texas · Jun 27, 2019
D
Espaillat, Adriano
New York · Jun 27, 2019
D
García, Jesús G. "Chuy"
Illinois · Jun 27, 2019
D
Gonzalez, Vicente
Texas · Jun 27, 2019
D
Grijalva, Raúl M.
Arizona · Jun 27, 2019
HASTINGS, ALCEE
· Jun 27, 2019
D
Johnson, Henry C. "Hank"
Georgia · Jun 27, 2019
D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Jun 27, 2019
Kirkpatrick, Ann
· Jun 27, 2019
MALONEY, CAROLYN
· Jun 27, 2019
D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Jun 27, 2019
D
Meng, Grace
New York · Jun 27, 2019
D
Moore, Gwen
Wisconsin · Jun 27, 2019
D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Jun 27, 2019
Napolitano, Grace
· Jun 27, 2019
D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jun 27, 2019
D
Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria
New York · Jun 27, 2019
D
Pocan, Mark
Wisconsin · Jun 27, 2019
RUSH, BOBBY
· Jun 27, 2019
D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Jun 27, 2019
D
Tlaib, Rashida
Michigan · Jun 27, 2019
D
Vargas, Juan
California · Jun 27, 2019
D
Velázquez, Nydia M.
New York · Jun 27, 2019
D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Jun 27, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3563: Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3563/
MLA
"H.R. 3563: Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3563/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3563, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3563/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3563: Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3563/)
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