HLS 21RS-1093 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 85
BY REPRESENTATIVE LANDRY
CORRECTIONS/PRISONERS: Requests a study of policies relative to certain health issues
of women prisoners
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Public Health Institute to study the current policies in
3 Louisiana's state and local correctional facilities regarding pregnancy management
4 and care and maternal health, the implementation and enforcement of Act No. 761
5 of the 2012 Regular Session, Act No. 392 of the 2018 Regular Session, and Act No.
6 140 of the 2020 Regular Session, and to require the commission to report its
7 findings.
8 WHEREAS, there are one thousand two hundred eighty-seven incarcerated females
9in Louisiana corrections facilities, the vast majority of which are of reproductive age; and
10 WHEREAS, incarcerated women and adolescent females often come from
11economically, educationally, socially, and emotionally disadvantaged environments; a
12disproportionate number have acute and chronic illnesses, substance abuse problems, and
13undetected health issues, including reproductive health; and
14 WHEREAS, pregnancy testing varies across facilities and because there are no
15reporting requirements, data may not accurately represent the prevalence of incarcerated
16pregnant women, pregnancy outcomes, or the care and accommodations provided; and
17 WHEREAS, little education and psychosocial support, if any, is provided to prepare
18incarcerated pregnant women for childbirth; and
19 WHEREAS, the effects of imprisonment on pregnancy outcomes are of considerable
20public health significance; and
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HCR NO. 85
1 WHEREAS, many local facilities lack written policies for the management of
2incarcerated pregnant women.
3 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
4urge and request the Louisiana Public Health Institute to study the following:
5 (1) Screening practices for pregnancy and the number of pregnant women entering
6jail or prison.
7 (2) Prenatal and postpartum care and treatment, including an adequate diet, clothing,
8appropriate accommodations relating to work, rest, and bed assignment.
9 (3) Availability of counseling, education, childbirth classes, parenting classes, and
10family planning.
11 (4) The number of live births, miscarriages, abortions, stillbirths, or other pregnancy
12outcomes outside of the facility.
13 (5) The number of live births, miscarriages, stillbirths, or other pregnancy outcomes
14occurring within correctional facilities.
15 (6) The number of cesareans and vaginal deliveries, the number of days patients are
16in the hospital for recovery before being transported back to the correctional facility, and the
17number of days patients are in the facility infirmary.
18 (7) The number of women screened for and receiving perinatal mental health care.
19 (8) The number of women receiving postpartum care.
20 (9) The location of prenatal care, labor, and delivery.
21 (10) The number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer.
22 (11) The number of women having hysterectomies or bilateral tubal ligations while
23incarcerated and the medical diagnosis determining the need for the procedure.
24 (12) The number of women being provided contraception including but not limited
25to IUDs, pills, injections, and implants.
26 (13) Whether corrections officers and medical staff receive training on the use of
27restraints policy.
28 (14) Information regarding the availability of substance use disorder treatment for
29incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women.
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HCR NO. 85
1 (15) Information regarding the process of requesting medical care and obtaining
2informed consent for medical treatment.
3 (16) Whether incarcerated pregnant women are advised in writing of the
4requirements of Act No. 140 of the 2020 Regular Session, Act No. 392 of the 2018 Regular
5Session, and Act No. 761 of the 2012 Regular Session.
6 (17) Whether corrections officers and medical staff are receiving training about the
7law requiring access to healthcare products and the process by which incarcerated women
8can access those products.
9 (18) Whether incarcerated women are notified and advised in writing about the
10process by which those products can be accessed.
11 (19) Whether state and local correctional facilities have the adequate supplies of the
12products to ensure all incarcerated women have access to sufficient quantities to meet their
13needs as required by Act No. 392 of the 2018 Regular Session.
14 (20) Whether Act No. 140 of the 2020 Regular Session banning the use of solitary
15confinement for currently and recently pregnant women has been implemented in prisons.
16 (21) Whether solitary confinement is being used for currently or recently pregnant
17women in Louisiana jails.
18 (22) Information regarding the justification for using solitary confinement.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study shall be conducted in collaboration
20with community organizations and stakeholders.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study shall be conducted in facilities owned
22by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, parish jails or institutions, and in
23private correctional institutions.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Public Health Institute shall
25prepare and submit a final report that contains a detailed statement of the findings and policy
26recommendations of the task force to the governor and leadership of the Louisiana
27Legislature. The report shall be made available to the public.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
29executive director of the Louisiana Public Health Institute.
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HCR NO. 85
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Public Health Institute shall
2submit one print copy and one electronic copy of any report produced pursuant to this
3Resolution to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 85 Original 2021 Regular Session Landry
Requests the La. Public Health Institute to study the current policies in state and local
correctional facilities regarding pregnancy management and care and maternal health, the
implementation and enforcement of Act No. 761 of the 2012 Regular Session, Act No. 392
of the 2018 Regular Session, and Act No. 140 of the 2020 Regular Session, and to require
the institute to report its findings.
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