Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act
A Democratic bill with 44 Democratic cosponsors · See all 44 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act" aims to end the shackling of pregnant individuals in prison. It mandates a 25 percent reduction in federal grant funding for states that do not have laws restricting restraints on pregnant people similar to federal standards (Section 2). The bill directs the Bureau of Prisons to establish model programs to improve maternal health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals (Section 3). It also creates a grant program for states to establish or expand similar programs in state and local facilities (Section 4). Additionally, the Act requires the GAO to report on adverse maternal and infant health outcomes among incarcerated populations (Section 5).
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +8
Would women be better off under this?
The bill provides comprehensive maternal health, nutrition, and psychological support for pregnant and postpartum individuals.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill provides reentry assistance to ensure access to health insurance coverage and transfer of health records for postpartum individuals.
- Scored +6
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill funds counseling and treatment for mental and behavioral health conditions for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill reduces federal grant funding for states that do not enact laws restricting the shackling of pregnant people.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ending Shackling: The bill aims to end the shackling of pregnant individuals by penalizing states that do not have restrictive restraint laws (Section 2).
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Improved Maternal Health Outcomes: The establishment of model programs in Bureau of Prisons facilities is designed to optimize maternal health outcomes (Section 3).
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Access to Specialized Support: Programs may provide access to perinatal health workers, healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and pregnancy/childbirth education (Section 3, Section s 3(e)(1-2) and 4(c)(1-2)).
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Enhanced Training for Staff: The bill allows for training correctional officers for respectful treatment and training medical personnel for trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically congruent care (Section 3, Section 3(e)(3-4) and 4(c)(3-4)).
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Mental Health and Counseling: Programs can provide counseling and treatment for various conditions, including mental health, substance use disorders, trauma, and pregnancy or infant loss (Section 3, Section 3(e)(5) and 4(c)(5)).
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Postpartum Support and Bonding: The bill offers opportunities for postpartum individuals to maintain contact with newborns through enhanced visitation, prison nursery programs, or breastfeeding support (Section 3, Section 3(e)(8) and 4(c)(8)).
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Reentry Assistance: Programs can provide assistance to ensure access to health insurance, transfer health records to community providers, and connect individuals to community-based resources (Section 3, Section 3(e)(9) and 4(c)(9)).
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Diversion Programs: The act supports establishing partnerships to expand pretrial diversion programs as an alternative to incarceration (Section 3, Section 3(e)(10) and 4(c)(10)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduction in State Grant Funding: States that do not implement laws restricting the use of restraints on pregnant individuals face a 25 percent decrease in their Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Program allocations (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides comprehensive maternal health, nutrition, and psychological support for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically aims to address racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. Would children be better off under this? — The bill promotes infant health through better maternal care and enhanced bonding opportunities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill targets maternal health disparities that disproportionately affect minority groups. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides resources for social determinants of health like nutrition and housing through specialized programs. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill requires data reporting that includes disability status to improve care standards.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill provides reentry assistance to ensure access to health insurance coverage and transfer of health records for postpartum individuals. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill funds counseling and treatment for mental and behavioral health conditions for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes programs and research focused on demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality and health disparities. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill supports the establishment of pretrial diversion programs as an alternative to incarceration for pregnant individuals. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill addresses social determinants of health including employment, housing, and nutrition through grant-funded programs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates GAO reporting on maternal and infant health outcomes among incarcerated populations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill reduces federal grant funding for states that do not enact laws restricting the shackling of pregnant people.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill's focus on healthcare accessibility may indirectly benefit all eligible individuals including some veterans, though its primary target is incarcerated individuals.
- 11/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 43 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Herbert ConawayDemocrat · New Jersey
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Steven HorsfordDemocrat · Nevada
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Glenn IveyDemocrat · Maryland
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Sydney Kamlager-DoveDemocrat · California
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia
Morgan McGarveyDemocrat · Kentucky
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Christian MenefeeDemocrat · Texas
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Nellie PouDemocrat · New Jersey
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois
Marc VeaseyDemocrat · Texas
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey