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H.R. 3993: Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

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H.R. 3993: Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-06-17 · Immigration · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-06-17 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Plain summary

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining an individual during pregnancy or postpartum recovery and addresses related issues. DHS must immediately release any detainee found to be pregnant, unless the detainee presents an immediate and serious threat of hurting themselves or others. A DHS detention facility may not use a restraint on a detainee who is known to be pregnant, including during labor, transport to a medical facility or birthing center, and delivery, or during postpartum recovery, except for medical or safety purposes. The bill requires DHS to use the least restrictive restraint necessary and prohibits certain specified restraint types, including four-point restraints and binding hands behind the detainee's back. The bill prohibits DHS detention officers from being present during a detainee's pelvic exam, labor, delivery, or treatment relating to a pregnancy, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If a detention officer is requested by medical personnel, such officer shall be female, if practicable, and remain at a reasonable distance from the detainee. A pregnant detainee must have access to health care services, including comprehensive services relating to reproductive health care and pregnancy. DHS must provide annual training about this bill's requirements to each employee who has a role in the detention or care of a pregnant detainee or a postpartum parent of a newborn. DHS must also provide each detainee notice of their rights under this bill in the detainee's native language.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] · 30 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Grace Meng (D-NY), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Scott H. Peters (D-CA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] reported raising $1.2 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr3993 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117