| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Positive |
Relating to the care of pregnant women confined in county jail.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1651 would tighten requirements on county jails for providing care and services to pregnant inmates. The bill would additionally impose restrictions on restraining pregnant inmates or inmates who have given birth in the past 12 weeks, barring special circumstances. Every county jail would also be required to submit to the Committee on Jail Standards an annual report on the jail’s use of any type of restraints on pregnant inmates or inmates who have given birth in the past 12 weeks.
Texas Action supports HB 1651 for promoting the principles of individual liberty and limited government. This bill would help to address the critical health needs of pregnant inmates and would help to ensure their safety in a way that is consistent with government scope of power and individual liberty.