§744.5. Definitions

            For purposes of this Part:

            (1) "Labor" means the period of time before a birth during which contractions are of sufficient frequency, intensity and duration to bring about effacement and progressive dilation of the cervix. The determination of when labor has commenced shall rest solely with the medical providers of the prisoner.

            (2) "Postpartum" means the period that begins immediately after childbirth and lasts for no less than six weeks. The medical professional treating the pregnant prisoner after childbirth may extend the postpartum period beyond six weeks based on his medical judgment if it is medically necessary to ensure recovery.

            (3) "Prison" means any state or local jail, prison, or other correctional facility that incarcerates or detains juveniles or adults accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for violations of criminal law.

            (4) "Prison operator" means the warden, the parish sheriff, the governing authority of those parishes in which the governing authority operates the parish jail, or the private entity which operates the facility in which the prisoner is housed.

            (5) "Prisoner" means any person subject to incarceration, detention, or admission to any prison who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for a violation of criminal law or the terms or conditions of parole, probation, pretrial release, or a diversionary program, and includes any person detained under the immigration laws of the United States at any correctional facility. A person's status as a "prisoner" is determined as of the time the cause of action arises. Subsequent events, including post trial judicial action or release from custody, shall not affect such status.

            (6) "Restraint" or "physical restraint" means any physical hold or mechanical device used to control the movement of a prisoner's body and limbs, including, but not limited to, shackles, flex cuffs, soft restraints, hard metal handcuffs, a black box, Chubb cuffs, leg irons, belly chains, a security tether or chain, or a convex shield.

            (7) "Therapeutic restraint" means flex cuffs or soft restraints.

            Acts 2012, No. 761, §1; Acts 2026, No. 520, §1, eff. May 29, 2026.