Us Congress House Bill HB2718

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/8/25
• Refer: 4/8/25

Caption

Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025

Impact

The bill intends to create universal procedures for emergency contact notification across federal detention agencies and models for states, local governments, and Tribal authorities. It aims to address the current lack of standardization that can lead to inhumane treatment and distress for families when they are uninformed about the health or death of incarcerated individuals. By specifying the timeline and method for notifications, as well as requirements for compassionate communication, the bill seeks to improve the dignity and rights of both incarcerated individuals and their families.

Summary

House Bill 2718, known as the Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025, aims to establish standardized federal policies and procedures for notifying next-of-kin or emergency contacts when an individual in law enforcement custody dies, becomes seriously ill, or suffers a serious injury. The bill outlines responsibilities for detention agencies under the Department of Justice, mandating that they develop and implement these notification procedures within one year of enactment. It seeks to uphold the dignity of detainees and ensure family members are informed compassionately and promptly about significant health-related events involving their loved ones in custody.

Contention

Notably, the discussions that led to this bill were influenced by several tragic instances where families learned of their loved ones' deaths or serious health issues under distressing circumstances. The legislation reflects a growing recognition of the need for humane treatment in detention settings, particularly regarding communication about significant health events. However, concerns may arise regarding the implementation effectiveness and the resources available for detention agencies to meet the new requirements, especially in light of varying state laws and operational capacities.

Congress_id

119-HR-2718

Introduced_date

2025-04-08