Felony Murder Elimination Project asks our supporters to take action today and help us support Assembly Bill 1922, the Do No Harm Act. Authored by Assemblyperson Josh Lowenthal (D-69) and sponsored by the Solis Policy Institute Criminal Justice Team, AB1922 would prohibit the use of mechanical restraints on incarcerated people and youth while admitted to hospitals and receiving medical care.
Although hospitals are governed by federal standards that strictly regulate when and how restraints may be used, incarcerated people are routinely subjected to mechanical restraints, including handcuffs, waist chains, and leg irons, while undergoing medical examinations, surgeries, recovery, and other critical care. AB 1922 will ensure that medical decisions in hospital settings are guided by clinical standards, not correctional practice.
AB 1922 will protect incarcerated patients by:
- Prohibit the use of mechanical restraints on incarcerated persons and youth while they are admitted to a hospital and receiving care.
- Allowing hospitals to initiate their own federally regulated medical restraint process if there is an immediate physical threat. Hospitals already follow strict clinical guidelines that require restraints to be medically necessary, the least restrictive option, and continuously reassessed.
- Ensure that decisions about patient safety in medical settings should always be made by trained healthcare professionals, not correctional staff.
- Requiring that any medical restraint be ordered by appropriate clinical staff and documented in the patient’s medical chart.
The Solis Policy Institute Criminal Justice Team would also like to hear from as many impacted individuals who have faced situations of being restrained while receiving medical attention at a community care location as possible, and will flag opportunities for testimony and other advocacy for those who express interest.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, they will continue to send template support letters, template communications info, and bill updates to everyone who signs up to send a letter of support.
Access the AB1922 support letter template here —>>> AB 1922 (Lowenthal) – Letter of Support
- Please put the letter on your organization’s letterhead, complete highlighted sections, and add a signature.
- Submit a support letter via the advocates portal at https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/ as soon as you can!
- Email a copy of the letter to ksayally@communityworkswest.org
We hope you can join in on the fight for humane treatment of incarcerated patients and youth in hospitals. As always, we thank our tireless supporters as we advocate together for our shared values and goals toward a fairer and humane justice system.
