Use of restraints on pregnant women or youth in custody — Allowed in extraordinary circumstances.
RCW 72.09.651
in effect(1) Except in extraordinary circumstances, no restraints of any kind may be used on any pregnant woman or youth incarcerated in a correctional facility during transportation to and from visits to medical providers and court proceedings during the third trimester of her pregnancy, or during postpartum recovery. For purposes of this section, "extraordinary circumstances" exist where a corrections officer makes an individualized determination that restraints are necessary to prevent an incarcerated pregnant woman or youth from escaping, or from injuring herself, medical or correctional personnel, or others. In the event the corrections officer determines that extraordinary circumstances exist and restraints are used, the corrections officer must fully document in writing the reasons that he or she determined such extraordinary circumstances existed such that restraints were used. As part of this documentation, the corrections officer must also include the kind of restraints used and the reasons those restraints were considered the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances. (2) While the pregnant woman or youth is in labor or in childbirth no restraints of any kind may be used. Nothing in this section affects the use of hospital restraints requested for the medical safety of a patient by treating physicians licensed under Title 18 RCW. (3) Anytime restraints are permitted to be used on a pregnant woman or youth, the restraints must be the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances, but in no case shall leg irons or waist chains be used on any woman or youth known to be pregnant. (4) No correctional personnel shall be present in the room during the pregnant woman's or youth's labor or childbirth, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If the employee's presence is requested by medical personnel, the employee should be female, if practicable. (5) If the doctor, nurse, or other health professional treating the pregnant woman or youth requests that restraints not be used, the corrections officer accompanying the pregnant woman or youth shall immediately remove all restraints.
(1) Except in extraordinary circumstances, no restraints of any kind may be used on any pregnant woman or youth incarcerated in a correctional facility during transportation to and from visits to medical providers and court proceedings during the third trimester of her pregnancy, or during postpartum recovery. For purposes of this section, "extraordinary circumstances" exist where a corrections officer makes an individualized determination that restraints are necessary to prevent an incarcerated pregnant woman or youth from escaping, or from injuring herself, medical or correctional personnel, or others. In the event the corrections officer determines that extraordinary circumstances exist and restraints are used, the corrections officer must fully document in writing the reasons that he or she determined such extraordinary circumstances existed such that restraints were used. As part of this documentation, the corrections officer must also include the kind of restraints used and the reasons those restraints were considered the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances.
(2) While the pregnant woman or youth is in labor or in childbirth no restraints of any kind may be used. Nothing in this section affects the use of hospital restraints requested for the medical safety of a patient by treating physicians licensed under Title 18 RCW.
(3) Anytime restraints are permitted to be used on a pregnant woman or youth, the restraints must be the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances, but in no case shall leg irons or waist chains be used on any woman or youth known to be pregnant.
(4) No correctional personnel shall be present in the room during the pregnant woman's or youth's labor or childbirth, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If the employee's presence is requested by medical personnel, the employee should be female, if practicable.
(5) If the doctor, nurse, or other health professional treating the pregnant woman or youth requests that restraints not be used, the corrections officer accompanying the pregnant woman or youth shall immediately remove all restraints.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=72.09&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026