HB 2261 Summary

• Requires the Department of Corrections to place prisoners who are parents of minor children within 250 miles of their permanent address when possible, and mandates rules allowing low/minimum security prisoners to visit their children at least twice weekly with contact visits permitted.

• Prohibits male correctional officers from conducting searches of female prisoners in states of undress unless no female officer is available, and requires written justification reports within 72 hours for any such searches.

• Requires correctional institutions to provide female inmates with free feminine hygiene products and defines those products to include tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups and similar items.

• Expands pregnant prisoner protections to include body cavity search restrictions, mandatory prenatal nutrition and supplements, prohibition on restrictive housing, limitations on elevated bed placement, and allowance for newborns to remain with mothers for 72 hours after delivery.

• Mandates development and provision of training for correctional employees on pregnant prisoner health and fetus care, and educational programming for pregnant prisoners on prenatal care, parenting skills, and health topics.