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AB 773

Relating to: the treatment of a pregnant or postpartum person in prison or jail. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 20 co-sponsors

AB 773 sets standards to protect health and safety for pregnant and postpartum people in Wisconsin prisons, ensuring prenatal to postnatal care and appropriate custody practices.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · AB 773

Summary: Assembly Bill 773 (Session 2025) – Relating to the treatment of a pregnant or postpartum person in prison or jail (FE)

Purpose and intent

  • AB 773 addresses the treatment of pregnant and postpartum individuals who are incarcerated in Wisconsin prisons or jails. The bill aims to establish standards and protections to guide custody, care, and treatment of pregnant or recently postpartum incarcerated people, with a focus on health, safety, and appropriate medical oversight.

Key provisions and changes (substantive aspects)

Note: The bill text is not provided in the prompt, but the title indicates core areas typically addressed in similar legislation. Based on common themes in related bills, expected areas include:
- Medical care standards
- Require access to adequate prenatal, obstetric, and postnatal care.
- Ensure timely medical evaluation and treatment for pregnancy-related complications.
- Housing and accommodations
- designate appropriate housing arrangements for pregnant inmates (e.g., separation from general population only if medically justified, access to private or semi-private space when possible, arrangements during late pregnancy and postpartum recovery).
- Safety and custody considerations
- Protections against solitary confinement or punitive isolation for pregnant individuals except in extraordinary circumstances aligned with safety or security needs.
- Provisions to minimize risk during transport, medical visits, or labor and delivery.
- Labor, delivery, and postpartum care
- Access to obstetric services, doulas or support persons where feasible, and post-delivery recovery accommodations.
- Policies regarding cesarean sections, pain management, and emergency response.
- Mental health and well-being
- Screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; access to mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum period.
- Alternatives to incarceration for pregnancy-related offenses
- Possible emphasis on noncustodial options or diversion for pregnant individuals when appropriate, subject to safety concerns.
- Oversight, reporting, and accountability
- Reporting requirements to ensure compliance with standards.
- Mechanisms for grievances and review of complaints related to pregnancy care in custody.
- Training and implementation
- Training for corrections staff on prenatal/postnatal care and the specific needs of pregnant incarcerated people.
- Data collection
- Data collection requirements on pregnancy status, care provided, and outcomes to monitor compliance and impact.

Important: The exact text and numerical details (e.g., specific mandates, deadlines, funding implications) would come from the enacted bill language. The above outlines reflect typical provisions found in pregnancy-in-custody reform bills and the stated focus of the bill title.

Who would be affected

  • Pregnant and postpartum persons currently or newly incarcerated in Wisconsin prisons or jails.
  • Correctional facilities and staff responsible for the custody and medical care of incarcerated individuals.
  • Healthcare providers contracted by or working within correctional systems (obstetricians, nurses, mental health professionals, midwives, doulas as feasible).
  • State and local correctional administration responsible for policy implementation, training, and compliance reporting.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and sponsorship
    • Introduced December 17, 2025, with a broad coalition of co-sponsors across House and Senate.
    • Primary authorship by a group of Representatives; co-sponsors from multiple committees and Senators listed.
  • Legislative journey
    • Referred to the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care (as of initial action).
    • Timeline for hearings, amendments, and potential floor votes would follow normal session procedures unless expedited.
  • Fiscal considerations
    • Fiscal impact statements would be prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau to assess costs related to enhanced medical care, staffing, training, and facility accommodations.
  • Reporting and accountability
    • Likely includes annual or periodic reporting on compliance and outcomes related to pregnant/postpartum care in custody.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Positive impacts
    • Improved medical and obstetric care for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals.
    • Greater alignment of custody practices with perinatal health best practices.
    • Enhanced safety and dignity for pregnant inmates; potential reduction in pregnancy-related complications in custody.
  • Possible concerns
    • Budgetary implications for corrections departments (staffing, training, medical contracts).
    • Logistical challenges in implementing new housing and care standards across facilities.
    • Need for clear guidelines to balance safety with health-focused reforms.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include any available fee schedules, timelines, or specific bill language once you provide the text or a link to the full bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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