Cephas, Dream.org applaud new law to better protect incarcerated pregnant juveniles

Rep. Morgan B. Cephas    October 30, 2024 | 2:30 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today applauded the signing of legislation that builds on current law to protect pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women to have it apply to incarcerated pregnant juveniles.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill (H.B. 1509) into law Tuesday.

Cephas was the sponsor of a 2023 law (H.B. 900, Act 47) that created important protections for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women, including restricting shackling and solitary confinement; providing trauma-informed-care training of corrections officers interacting with pregnant and postpartum women; and providing up to three days of post-delivery bonding time between a mother and newborn child, among other protections. She said the law was unintentionally silent on juveniles involved in the criminal justice system and is glad to see the provision clearly spelled out in this new law.  

“For years, my colleagues and I have been fighting to get better prenatal, pregnancy and post-natal protections and support for incarcerated people in Pennsylvania as a matter of compassion and common decency,” Cephas said. “No one should be deprived of compassionate care or respect or be forced to risk the health of their child, even when they are a child themselves under the law.”

Lauren Johnson, justice director at Dream.org, an advocacy group dedicated to reforming the nation’s criminal justice system and that worked with Cephas for more than five years on the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act (Act 47), praised the update to Pennsylvania law.

"At Dream.org we believe that meaningful change is achieved when we come together to find common ground,” Johnson said. “The extension of Pennsylvania’s Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act to juveniles is a testament to what can happen when we work together for a better tomorrow. This legislation not only affirms the dignity of our youth but also sets a precedent for collaboration in crafting policies that uplift and empower all of us. We commend Rep. Cephas and all those involved for their commitment to creating a brighter future for our communities."

Cephas also worked alongside Dream.org Pennsylvania ambassador Tonie Willis of Ardella’s House and the American Conservative Union on this bipartisan legislation.

In addition to the provision for ensuring protections for incarcerated pregnant juveniles, the new law allows county jail boards an option to include two to four members of the public on the board. Cephas said allowing local officials and residents of counties to have a board of inspectors could create space for reform that would benefit the communities these facilities are located in.