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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a report regarding the confinement of pregnant inmates |
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by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "department" means the |
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Texas Department of Criminal Justice. |
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(b) The department shall prepare a report on the confinement |
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of pregnant inmates in facilities operated by or under contract |
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with the department. The report must include: |
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(1) a description of the department's implementation |
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of policies and procedures to provide adequate care to pregnant |
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inmates while confined in a facility operated by or under contract |
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with the department, and any policies adopted by the department |
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regarding the placement of a pregnant inmate in administrative |
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segregation; |
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(2) information regarding the health care provided to |
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a pregnant inmate, including the availability of: |
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(A) obstetrical or gynecological care; |
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(B) prenatal health care visits; |
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(C) mental health care; and |
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(D) drug abuse or chemical dependency treatment; |
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(3) a detailed summary of the following as applicable |
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to pregnant inmates: |
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(A) nutritional standards, including the average |
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caloric intake of a pregnant inmate and other dietary information; |
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(B) work assignments; |
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(C) housing conditions; and |
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(D) situations in which a pregnant inmate has |
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been restrained, including the reason a determination to use |
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restraints was made under Section 501.066, Government Code; and |
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(4) the number of miscarriages experienced by pregnant |
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inmates while confined in a facility operated by or under contract |
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with the department between September 1, 2017, and September 1, |
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2018. |
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(c) Not later than December 1, 2018, the department shall |
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provide a copy of the report to: |
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(1) the governor; |
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(2) the lieutenant governor; |
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(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and |
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(4) each standing committee of the senate and house of |
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representatives having primary jurisdiction over matters relating |
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to corrections. |
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SECTION 2. This Act expires February 1, 2019. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |