For those who don't know, we proposed two laws during the 81st legislature...and through hard work and an awesome alliance, we got them passed and the Governor signed them. So, as of September 1, these bills are now law:

• HB 3653: requires all county and state facilities to STOP SHACKLING women inmates during labor and delivery;
• HB 3654: changed Jail Standards by now requiring county jails to have a MEDICAL CARE plan for pregnant women and also requires them to COUNT the number of pregnant women they are holding.

What brought those particular concerns to our attention? You, the people of Texas, wrote us stories and answered our poll when we asked what issues concerned you most. Parents, relatives, chaplains and nurses wrote us about young women who found themselves in a jail while pregnant, who were losing their babies due to poor diet and lack of medical care. Some of the babies born later had disabilities because of what their moms went through while jailed.

You also told us about women, an estimated 85 % of whom are NON-VIOLENT, LOW-LEVEL offenders, being shackled during labor and delivery, causing pain, injuries and humilation. Texas is the fifth state in the nation to pass a law banning unnecessary use of restraints—and it leaves an option for a correctional officer to use restraints in the rare cases where violent behavior is a threat.

Unfortunately, we are now hearing of officers who say they haven't heard of any new laws about pregnant inmates! What can we do to get the word out to sheriffs and guards, that there are new laws protecting these women and their babies?