Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB475: Regulate restraints on women while giving childbirth
Status: Signed into law, May 5, 2025
What the bill says
An act restricting the use of restraints on pregnant inmates; providing that restraints may not be used on a pregnant inmate during labor and delivery except in extraordinary circumstances; and providing a definition.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT RESTRICTING THE USE OF RESTRAINTS ON PREGNANT INMATES; PROVIDING THAT RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE USED ON A PREGNANT INMATE DURING LABOR AND DELIVERY EXCEPT IN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES; AND PROVIDING A DEFINITION. Section 1. Use of restraints on pregnant inmates restricted -- extraordinary circumstances -- definition. (1) Restraints may not be used on an inmate known to be pregnant during labor and delivery, except as provided in subsection (2). (2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), restraints may be used on a pregnant inmate during labor and delivery in extraordinary circumstances in which the detention center makes an individualized determination or (ii) there is a clear threat that the inmate could harm themself or others. (b) Leg or waist restraints may not be used on a pregnant inmate during any stage of labor and delivery under any circumstances. (c) Both the type of restraint applied and the application of the restraint must be done in the least restrictive manner necessary. (d) Restraints must be removed under the following or (ii) at the request of a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional treating the inmate during labor and delivery. (3) For the purposes of this section, "restraints" means handcuffs, leg shackles, leg irons, belly belts, belly chains, or other restraint devices used to restrict free movement of limbs …
Sponsors
- Reavis, James (D, 47) · primary sponsor
- Neumann, Cora (D, 30)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 14, 2025): 46 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 12, 2025): 43 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 25, 2025): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 24, 2025): 95 yea, 4 nay, passed
Subjects: Minors, Corrections, Local Government, Health
Common questions
- What is HB475?
- HB475 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Regulate restraints on women while giving childbirth.
- What does HB475 do?
- In its own words: An act restricting the use of restraints on pregnant inmates; providing that restraints may not be used on a pregnant inmate during labor and delivery except in extraordinary circumstances; and providing a definition.
- What is the status of HB475?
- Signed into law as of May 5, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 5, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB475?
- Reavis, James (D, 47), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB475?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1575
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.