§744.3. Restraint during childbirth

A. Restraints shall not be used on a pregnant prisoner while she is in labor and during delivery unless a member of the medical staff orders therapeutic restraints for a prisoner who, due to a psychiatric or medical disorder, is a danger to herself, her child, her unborn child, or other persons. For purposes of this Section, "therapeutic restraints" shall not include metal handcuffs or shackles.

B. No restraints shall be used on a prisoner known to be pregnant during any pregnancy-related medical distress, or while she is being transported to a medical facility or the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women for delivery or any pregnancy-related medical distress, or during postpartum recovery, unless there are compelling grounds to believe that the prisoner presents either of the following:

(1) An immediate and serious threat of physical harm to herself, staff, or others.

(2) A substantial flight risk and the prisoner cannot be reasonably contained by other means.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B of this Section:

(1) If the doctor, nurse, or other health professional treating the prisoner requests, based on his or her professional medical judgment, that restraints not be used, the prison staff accompanying the prisoner shall immediately remove all restraints.

(2) If restraints are used on the prisoner, the type of restraint applied and the application of the restraint shall be done in the least restrictive manner necessary.

(3) Under no circumstances shall waist restraints be used on any prisoner during transportation to a medical facility or postpartum recovery.

Acts 2012, No. 761, §1.