California Bill Seeks to Improve Prenatal Care for Incarcerated Women

Following a recent a lawsuit alleging the maltreatment of pregnant women in a Californian county jail, lawmakers propose a bill that would offer more protection and improve prenatal care.

Assemblyman Rob Bonta of district 18 authored the Reproductive Dignity for Incarcerated People Act (AB 732), which was first drafted in February 2019. This bill would require regular prenatal care and services, postpartum evaluations and checkups, and allow the pregnant person to have a support person for delivery.

A class action suit was filed against the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County in California after officials cite that three inmates suffered miscarriages because of insufficient medical care. The 2018 lawsuit also notes that a woman gave birth in an isolation cell.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU), partially responsible for the bill, published a report in 2016 title Reproductive Health Behind Bars in California. The report outlines several concerns with reproductive care for both men and women, including cisgender and transgender people. The top issues were forced pregnancy testing, barriers to abortion access, illegal shackling/dangerous use of force, insufficient dietary and physical accommodations, and poor postpartum care.  

This new bill will formally prohibit the use of pepper spray on pregnant women, provide lower bunk privileges, prenatal vitamins, methadone treatment, and social worker consultations.

A number or organizations have shown support of AB 732, in addition to the ACLU of California. Other organizations include the Women’s Policy Institute of the Women’s Foundation of California, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, and Young Women’s Freedom Center. AB 732 was recently amended on January 23 and will likely be voted on later in 2020.—Edan Stanley