EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0837*
HOUSE BILL 837
E5 5lr2347
By: Delegates Mireku–North, Guyton, Kaufman, Palakovich Carr, and Wims
Introduced and read first time: January 29, 2025
Assigned to: Judiciary
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Task Force to Study Forced Infant Separation From Incarcerated Individuals 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Task Force to Study Forced Infant Separation From 3
Incarcerated Individuals; and generally relating to the Task Force to Study Forced 4
Infant Separation From Incarcerated Individuals. 5
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 6
That: 7
(a) There is a Task Force to Study Forced Infant Separation From Incarcerated 8
Individuals. 9
(b) The Task Force consists of the following members: 10
(1) one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 11
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 12
House; 13
(3) the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the 14
Secretary’s designee; 15
(4) the Public Defender, or the Public Defender’s designee; and 16
(5) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 17
(i) one formerly incarcerated individual; 18
(ii) one family member of a currently incarcerated male individual; 19
(iii) one family member of a currently incarcerated female individual; 20 2 HOUSE BILL 837
(iv) three representatives of a nonprofit organization focused on 1
women’s health; 2
(v) three representatives of a nonprofit organization focused on 3
pediatric health; and 4
(vi) three representatives of a nonprofit organization focused on the 5
rights of incarcerated individuals. 6
(c) The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and 7
Policy shall designate the chair of the Task Force. 8
(d) The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy shall provide staff for 9
the Task Force. 10
(e) A member of the Task Force: 11
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 12
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 13
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 14
(f) The Task Force shall study: 15
(1) the number of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals in the 16
State’s prisons; 17
(2) the ability of the Division of Correction to create a space within the 18
prerelease unit, when completed, for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals; 19
(3) the impact of forced infant separation from the infant’s mother; 20
(4) the best practices of other state correctional systems in handling: 21
(i) forced infant separation; 22
(ii) pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals; and 23
(iii) visitation between postpartum incarcerated individuals and 24
their children; and 25
(5) any other issues that the Task Force considers relevant. 26
(g) The Task Force shall make legislative recommendations regarding methods 27
to reduce forced infant separation in the State and facilitate bonds between postpartum 28
incarcerated individuals and their children. 29 HOUSE BILL 837 3
(h) On or before December 31, 2026, the Task Force shall report its findings and 1
recommendations, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the 2
General Assembly. 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 4
1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 2 years and, at the end of June 30, 2027, 5
this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 6
of no further force and effect. 7