Loading chat...

FL H0059

Bill

Status

Introduced

9/29/2025

Primary Sponsor

Dianne Hart-Lowman

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Creates "Ava's Law" requiring detention facilities to administer pregnancy tests within 24 hours upon request to any female not released on bond within 72 hours of arrest, with facilities required to notify arrestees of this right during booking

  • Allows sentencing courts to stay incarceration for pregnant women convicted of any offense for up to 12 weeks after giving birth or pregnancy termination, with the court required to provide written reasons for granting a stay

  • Courts must consider six factors when deciding on incarceration stays: offense severity, prior felony convictions, pending felony charges, state interest in deterrence and public protection, victim rights, and the health and safety of the unborn child

  • Requires postpartum assessments be offered within 10 days of incarceration commencement, including medical tests, lactation support, and mental health support developed in consultation with community organizations and healthcare practitioners

  • Mandates Department of Corrections and detention facilities collect and publish quarterly data on stayed sentences, births, stillbirths, pregnancy complications, and miscarriages while excluding personal identifying information

Legislative Description

Pregnant Women in Custody

Last Action

1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

1/13/2026

Committee Referrals

Criminal Justice Subcommittee10/7/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available