2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment Directing The Bureau Of
Prisons To Conduct Family-Focused Programming, Provide Training To
Employees Who Interact With Families Of Imprisoned People, And Establish
Distribution And Accessibility Rules Of Sanitary Products For
Prisoners. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for en bloc amendments
no.1 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require the
Bureau of Prisons to administer family-focused programming at the intake
of incarcerated individuals and provide certain training to personnel
who engage with families of incarcerated individuals; require the Bureau
of Prisons to make rules on the distribution and accessibility of
sanitary products to incarcerated individuals." The vote was on the
adoption of amendments. The House adopted the amendments by a vote of
228-197. [House Vote 83,
3/17/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/17/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
31;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Bureau Of Prisons To Establish
An Office To Oversee The Placement Of Transgender And Intersex Prisoners
Who Have Kids, Provide Health Care And Hygienic Products To All
Prisoners, Provide Parenting Classes, And Create A Pilot Program For
Children Born In Prisons To Remain With Their Mothers While They Serve
Their Terms. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Violence Against
Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "require the Bureau of Prisons to establish an
office to determine the placement of transgender or intersex prisoners
and prisoners who have children; provide health care access and hygenic
products to all prisoners; provide parenting classes for prisoners who
are primary caretaker parents; and establish a pilot program to allow
women and their children born in prison to reside together during the
mother's prison term." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 244-172. The Senate did not take substantive action on
the bill. [House Vote 86,
3/17/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/17/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Bureau Of Prisons To Address
The Health And Safety Needs Of Imprisoned Pregnant Women, Including
Prenatal Education And Birth Support Services, Screening And Adequate
Health Care For High-Risk Pregnancies, And Prohibiting Restrictive
Housing. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Pregnant Women in Custody Act, which would
"add requirements for the Bureau of Prisons to provide services to
address the health and safety needs of incarcerated women related to
pregnancy and childbirth. It would require the BOP to provide a summary
of health- and safety-appropriate protocols to pregnant women when the
pregnancy is confirmed, including an assessment of changes relating to
bedding, water and bathroom access, diet, recreational activities and
transportation; provide pregnant women with prenatal education,
counseling and birth support services within 14 days of notification of
the pregnancy; and provide screening and adequate health care for
high-risk pregnancies, including elective transfer to a residential
reentry center during and after the pregnancy. The bill would prohibit
the use of restrive housing, which includes removal from the general
inmate population and placement in a locked room or cell, for pregnant
women through 12 weeks after delivery, unless a senior BOP official that
oversees women's health determines that it is required as a temporary
measure for the woman's medical safety. In the case of exceptions, it
would require officials to report on the placement and develop a plan to
move the individual to less restrictive housing. It would also prohibit
the use of solitary confinement in the third trimester. It would require
the BOP and the U.S. Marshals Service to establish a process for
incarcerated individuals to report a violation of this section. Among
other provisions, the bill would require the BOP to provide women of a
reproductive age access to contraception and testing for pregnancy and
sexually transmitted diseases; require the Justice Department to issue
rules for federal prisons to provide services for unexpected childbirth
deliveries and medical complications if a woman is unable to access a
hospital in a timely manner; and require biannual training for prison
employees to carry out the bill's requirements." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 324-90. The Senate did
not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 493,
12/1/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/1/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6878]