KS
Kansas House Bill HB2811

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2811

Introduced
2/20/24  
Refer
2/20/24  

Caption

Directing the department of corrections to establish a correctional center nursery for incarcerated expectant mothers and their child to allow certain expectant mothers to care and bond with their child for up to 36 months while incarcerated.

Impact

The bill introduces significant changes to Kansas family law, particularly regarding how incarcerated mothers are treated in relation to their children. By permitting infants to reside with their mothers in a correctional setting, the legislation addresses potential developmental impacts on children born to incarcerated parents. The program is expected to alleviate some of the negative effects associated with maternal incarceration, promoting healthier familial bonds and potentially reducing future child welfare issues. Furthermore, it seeks to ensure that child's needs are prioritized, provided mothers meet specific eligibility criteria set forth by the Department of Corrections.

Summary

House Bill 2811 aims to establish a nursery program within the Topeka correctional facility specifically designed for incarcerated expectant mothers. This program allows eligible offenders to care for and bond with their newborns for up to 36 months after birth, facilitating a nurturing environment for children born to mothers in custody. The bill emphasizes that participation in the program does not affect the custodial rights of the mothers over their children, as it seeks to balance incarceration with parenting responsibilities.

Contention

Despite the bill's intentions, there are points of contention regarding its implementation and the eligibility restrictions placed on participants. Critics argue that not all incarcerated women will benefit from the program due to the stringent criteria, including those with certain felony convictions. Concerns also arise from the potential stigmatization of children raised within a correctional setting and debates about whether such programs should receive public funding and oversight. This legislation raises key questions about the rights of incarcerated women and the state’s role in facilitating family integrity among incarcerated populations, as it may not apply equally to all offenders.

Latest HB2811 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB489

Directing the department of corrections to establish a correctional center nursery for incarcerated expectant mothers and their child to allow certain expectant mothers to care and bond with their child for up to 36 months while incarcerated.

KS HB2021

Requiring the secretary for children and families to assess certain children and the secretary of corrections to provide certain services to juveniles in detention, changing the criteria used to refer and admit juveniles to a juvenile crisis intervention center, allowing evidence-based program account money to be used on certain children, requiring the department of corrections to build data systems and allowing for overall case length limit extensions for certain juvenile offenders.

KS A01607

Relates to the provision of breast pumps and related collection and storage materials to certain incarcerated nursing birth parents others who are confined in or committed to an institution or local correctional facility with or without their child subject to specific time limitations; requires institutions and local correctional facilities to provide pumps and related materials to such incarcerated birth parents, but not beyond the date such child reaches twenty-four months of age except in limited circumstances related to parole; allows children to remain with their incarcerated birth parents in a correctional institution until twenty-four months of age, or longer in certain cases related to parole; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to issue an annual report on data relating to incarcerated birth parents.

KS SB1043

Creates a pilot program for incarcerated mothers to have access to their children

KS SB438

Creates a pilot program for incarcerated mothers to have access to their children

KS S02666

Relates to the provision of breast pumps and related collection and storage materials to certain incarcerated nursing birth parents who are confined in or committed to an institution or local correctional facility with or without their child subject to specific time limitations; requires institutions and local correctional facilities to provide pumps and related materials to such incarcerated birth parents, but not beyond the date such child reaches twenty-four months of age except in limited circumstances related to parole; allows children to remain with their incarcerated birth parents in a correctional institution until twenty-four months of age, or longer in certain cases related to parole; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to issue an annual report on data relating to incarcerated birth parents.

KS HB1709

To Create The Correctional Postnatal And Early Childhood Advisory Board; And To Study And Research Issues Related To Infants And Incarcerated Mothers.

KS S04583

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

KS A04879

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

KS HB700

AN ACT relating to the protection of mothers and their children.

Similar Bills

KS SB489

Directing the department of corrections to establish a correctional center nursery for incarcerated expectant mothers and their child to allow certain expectant mothers to care and bond with their child for up to 36 months while incarcerated.

KS SB79

Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.

KS HB2094

Requiring work registrants ages 50-59 to complete an employment and training program to receive food assistance, establishing periods of ineligibility for child care subsidy based on cooperation with child support services and requiring the secretary to conduct reviews of cooperation with child support.

KS HB2027

Reorganizing subsections of the public assistance statute.

KS HB2627

Organizing requirements for public assistance program sections within the statute.

KS HB2015

Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.

KS HB2673

Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules and prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.

KS HB2668

Requiring job search instead of a 20-hour work week for child care subsidy eligibility, allowing food assistance funds for advertising food assistance programs and modifying penalties for non-cooperation for all assistance programs.