Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act
Latest action (21 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act would target the treatment and health care of pregnant and postpartum people in custody. It would financially penalize states that receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant funding but lack state laws restricting the shackling of pregnant prisoners comparable to protections in existing federal law, cutting their grant allocation by 25% and redistributing that money to compliant states. It also directs the Bureau of Prisons to establish five-year model programs at no fewer than six federal facilities addressing prenatal and postpartum care, including nutrition, staff training, mental health and trauma counseling, parenting education, newborn bonding opportunities, reentry assistance, and diversion programs as alternatives to incarceration. A parallel five-year grant program would let the Department of Justice fund similar programs in state and local prisons and jails.
The bill primarily affects incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals, correctional facilities and staff, and state and local governments that rely on Byrne grant funding. It also involves the Attorney General, Bureau of Prisons, and Bureau of Justice Assistance in implementation, and requires oversight contracts, periodic reporting, and a Government Accountability Office study on maternal and infant health outcomes and racial disparities among incarcerated people.
The bill was introduced in the House on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It has not yet received a committee vote, floor vote, or further congressional action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 21, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9817 do?
- The Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act would target the treatment and health care of pregnant and postpartum people in custody. It would financially penalize states that receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant funding but lack state laws restricting the shackling of pregnant prisoners comparable to protections in existing federal law, cutting their grant allocation by 25% and redistributing that money to compliant states. It also directs the Bureau of Prisons to establish five-year model programs at no fewer than six federal facilities addressing prenatal and postpartum care, including nutrition, staff training, mental health and trauma counseling, parenting education, newborn bonding opportunities, reentry assistance, and diversion programs as alternatives to incarceration. A parallel five-year grant program would let the Department of Justice fund similar programs in state and local prisons and jails. The bill primarily affects incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals, correctional facilities and staff, and state and local governments that rely on Byrne grant funding. It also involves the Attorney General, Bureau of Prisons, and Bureau of Justice Assistance in implementation, and requires oversight contracts, periodic reporting, and a Government Accountability Office study on maternal and infant health outcomes and racial disparities among incarcerated people. The bill was introduced in the House on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It has not yet received a committee vote, floor vote, or further congressional action.
- Has H.R. 9817 become law?
- Not yet. As of 21 Jul 2026, H.R. 9817 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9817?
- H.R. 9817 was sponsored by Rep. Ayanna Pressley [D-MA7] (Democrat-MA), with 43 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9817?
- Introduced (21 Jul 2026).
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