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House Judiciary Committee gives ‘due pass’ to prison nursery bill, sends it to appropriations
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee voted 8–3 to give Senate Bill 23-52 a "do pass" recommendation and re-refer it to the Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers debated liability, facility timing and whether the program functions as rehabilitation or preferential treatment.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 8–3 on a motion to give Senate Bill 23-52 a "do pass" recommendation and re-refer it to the Appropriations Committee, moving forward a proposal to create a prison nursery program.
Supporters said the program would help mothers bond with infants and reduce recidivism. "I give that bill, due passed because it seems like the testimony was pretty consistently good for moms and for babies and for recidivism and for training and educating folks to be good parents too," Representative Schneider said.
Opponents raised liability and fairness concerns. "If something happens to that child, who's on the hook for it?" Representative Vedder asked, noting uncertainty about who would bear legal responsibility if injury occurred while a child resided in a correctional facility. Committee members referenced a fiscal note estimating roughly $100,000 for diapers and related supplies and said any program spending would have to pass through Appropriations.
Several members described the program as rehabilitative rather than purely carceral. "I see this more of a drug rehab than I do a correctional center anyway or jail," Representative Culberson said. Representative McCloud added that keeping mothers and infants together could help prevent long-term separation trauma: "If we can help prevent that separation anxiety ... I think that's a good thing."
Committee members also noted timing constraints: building construction for a facility that could house a nursery is not expected before the next session, and some benefits would not take effect until the following biennium.
The committee approved the motion for a due-pass recommendation and re-referral to Appropriations; the motion carried 8 to 3, with three members absent and not voting. Representative Schneider moved the motion; Representative Satrim seconded it. Representative Johnston, Representative Twit and Representative Wolfe voted no.
The committee requested a bill carrier to shepherd the measure through the next steps; Representative Satrim volunteered.
The bill will next be considered by the Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers said they will examine the fiscal note and longer-term funding needs.
No formal changes to the bill text were recorded in committee during the vote; the committee action was a recommendation and referral rather than final adoption.
