On June 15 2021, NAPW provided comments to the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities and Chair Senator Adam Gomez in strong support of bill H.221. This bill will reduce unnecessary reporting and counterproductive family separation, and thereby benefit maternal, fetal, and child health.
NAPW testifies in support of Massachusetts bill H.221
Medical and Public Health Group Statements Opposing Prosecution and Punishment of Pregnant Women
Every leading medical and public health organization to address the issue of pregnant women and drug use has taken a position opposing punitive approaches as dangerous to maternal, fetal and child health. Please read the information below or download this fact sheet providing summaries of and citations to these statements.
Murder Charge Against Chelsea Becker for Experiencing a Stillbirth Is Dismissed
For Immediate Release: May 20, 2021
Today, Kings County Superior Court Judge Robert Shane Burns dismissed the murder charge against our client, Chelsea Becker. This outcome is a major victory in her 19-month legal battle challenging the legitimacy of a murder charge for experiencing a stillbirth.
NAPW Testimony Opposing Texas HB 1171
On Wednesday, NAPW's Organizer Kendall Bentsen testified against Texas HB 1171, a dangerous bill that would appoint an attorney ad litem or guardian ad litem for a fertilized egg, embryo or fetus when Texas minors are trying to obtain an abortion through judicial bypass.
NAPW Testimony Opposing Arizona’s SB 1457
On March 17, 2020, Lynn M. Paltrow, Founder and Executive Director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, testified before the Arizona House Judiciary in opposition to Senate Bill 1457, which, among other things, would require that the Arizona constitution be construed to acknowledge, “on behalf of an unborn child at every stage of development, all rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens and residents of this state.
Chelsea Becker Is Released On Her Own Recognizance, But Not Yet Free
On March 9, 2021, Kings County Superior Court Judge Robert Shane Burns granted Chelsea Becker’s request to be released on her own recognizance so that she can enter a residential treatment facility, but her legal fight continues.
In 2019, Ms. Becker experienced a stillbirth, which Kings County District Attorney Keith L. Fagundes claims, without scientific basis, was caused by methamphetamine use.
NAPW’s Comments Regarding the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Roundtable Conversation on the Biden-Harris Drug Policy Priorities
On February 20, 2021, in response to a request by the Biden-Harris Administration for input on its drug policy priorities, NAPW submitted comments to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the government entity that leads and coordinates U.S. drug policy.
NAPW Statement: The Fight to Free Chelsea Becker Continues: How the San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, New York Post, and Other Media Outlets Got It Wrong
On December 24, 2020, the San Francisco Chronicle published an article that included incorrect and dangerously misleading information about a recent California Supreme Court order in Chelsea Becker’s case. The article erroneously reported, “Court refuses to bar woman’s murder prosecution for death of fetus, a loss for Becerra.
NAPW testifies in support of an oversight hearing on maternal mortality and morbidity in NYC
On December 7th 2020, NAPW alongside Ancient Song Doula Services, The Bronx Defenders, Movement for Family Power, and the New York Civil Liberties Union testified in support of the oversight hearing regarding maternal mortality and morbidity in New York City.
NAPW Testified at the New York Commission on Human Rights’ Public Hearing
On November 12, 2020 the New York City Commission on Human Rights held a public hearing on proposed amendments to clarify protections from discrimination that occur on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, and sexual and reproductive health decisions.