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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 393 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1580
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Rebecca L. Rausch
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to health education in women's correctional institutions.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Rebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 393 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1580
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1580) of Rebecca L. Rausch for
legislation relative to health education in women's correctional institutions. Public Safety and
Homeland Security.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to health education in women's correctional institutions.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 127 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2Section 16A the following new sections:-
3 Section 16B. Upon admission to a correctional institution and at any time thereafter, the
4health services unit in each correctional institution where women are incarcerated shall make
5available to all prisoners written information on women’s health, contraception, and sexually
6transmitted infections. A user-friendly, culturally competent, and linguistically diverse brochure
7containing the aforementioned information shall be created and distributed by the department of
8public health.
9 Section 16C. Not less than 4 months prior to the date of release for a female prisoner of
10child-bearing age, the medical director of the correctional institution where the prisoner is
11incarcerated shall offer the prisoner contraception counseling and a gynecological exam
12including a Pap Test. Following said counseling, the medical director shall offer to provide her 2 of 2
13with the form of contraception she so chooses including but not limited to: female condoms,
14male condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, intra-uterine device, prescription birth control, or
15contraceptive sponges. If the prisoner selects a type of contraception that must be taken for a
16period of time before it becomes effective, then the prisoner shall begin the regimen not less than
17three months prior to her date of release. Said medication shall be distributed during regular
18medication distribution. Upon her release, the medical director shall furnish the woman with a 12
19month prescription to refill her medication, a referral to a pharmacy or doctor where said
20prescription can be refilled, and a referral to a primary care physician or gynecologist for follow
21up care. The foregoing notwithstanding, no prisoner shall be required to undergo a gynecological
22exam or accept or utilize any type of contraception.
23 SECTION 2. Said chapter 127, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting
24after Section 96B the following new section:-
25 Section 96C. The superintendent of each correctional institution where women are
26incarcerated shall offer a course on health education open to all eligible prisoners incarcerated in
27said institutions. The course shall be offered no less than twice yearly and shall include, but not
28be limited to, the following topics: general health, nutrition, mental health, women’s health
29concerns, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, contraception,
30emergency contraception, sex education, and pregnancy. Said course shall be developed in
31consultation with the commissioner of public health.