FED Protection from Restraints During Childbirth for People in Custody

Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting Shackling During Childbirth) Bill 2026

Independent Bill

18 Aug 2026: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

Senate

House of Representatives

Assent

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Topics

childbirth healthcare in detention human rights maternal health prisoner rights

Introduced by: Senator Lidia Thorpe (IND)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Staff cannot use physical, chemical, environmental or mechanical restraints on people in custody during the child birthing process.
This ban applies while a person is in labour; it also applies immediately before and after giving birth.
The ban covers people detained in prisons, gaols, lock-ups, hospitals or other places of custody.
This prohibition overrides any inconsistent Commonwealth, State or Territory laws.