Legis Daily

PROKID Act

USA117th CongressS-382| Senate 
| Updated: 2/23/2021
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (9)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protection of Kids in Immigrant Detention Act or PROKID Act This bill establishes the Office of the Ombudsperson for Immigrant Children in Government Custody within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office shall ensure that if government detention of an immigrant child is necessary, that child is held in the least restrictive setting. The office shall also advocate for (1) the quick and safe release of such a detained child, and (2) a child who was detained with family to be released concurrently with a parent or legal guardian. The office's duties shall include (1) monitoring facilities with immigrant children held in government custody to ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards, (2) investigating claims of mistreatment and complaints against foster care providers, (3) reviewing contested decisions about the placement of an immigrant child, and (4) reviewing data from HHS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) relating to such children. The office may also offer individual case assistance to such a detained child who requires expedited processing or elevated attention. The office may also issue subpoenas with HHS approval. DHS and HHS must ensure that the office has the ability to conduct investigative and monitoring activities, including by providing unobstructed access to any detention facility with immigrant children. The office and DHS shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to coordinate oversight between DHS and HHS. The bill also establishes an expert advisory committee to assist the office and an interagency working group to identify and discuss concerns related to detained immigrant children.
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Timeline
Feb 23, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Feb 23, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 28, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1238
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • February 23, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 23, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 28, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1238
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 117-1238: PROKID Act
Administrative remediesAdoption and foster careAdvisory bodiesBorder security and unlawful immigrationCensus and government statisticsChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsDomestic violence and child abuseEvidence and witnessesExecutive agency funding and structureFamily relationshipsFederal officialsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHuman traffickingImmigration status and proceduresIntergovernmental relationsRefugees, asylum, displaced personsState and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication

PROKID Act

USA117th CongressS-382| Senate 
| Updated: 2/23/2021
Protection of Kids in Immigrant Detention Act or PROKID Act This bill establishes the Office of the Ombudsperson for Immigrant Children in Government Custody within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office shall ensure that if government detention of an immigrant child is necessary, that child is held in the least restrictive setting. The office shall also advocate for (1) the quick and safe release of such a detained child, and (2) a child who was detained with family to be released concurrently with a parent or legal guardian. The office's duties shall include (1) monitoring facilities with immigrant children held in government custody to ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards, (2) investigating claims of mistreatment and complaints against foster care providers, (3) reviewing contested decisions about the placement of an immigrant child, and (4) reviewing data from HHS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) relating to such children. The office may also offer individual case assistance to such a detained child who requires expedited processing or elevated attention. The office may also issue subpoenas with HHS approval. DHS and HHS must ensure that the office has the ability to conduct investigative and monitoring activities, including by providing unobstructed access to any detention facility with immigrant children. The office and DHS shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to coordinate oversight between DHS and HHS. The bill also establishes an expert advisory committee to assist the office and an interagency working group to identify and discuss concerns related to detained immigrant children.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 23, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Feb 23, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 28, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1238
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • February 23, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 23, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 28, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1238
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (9)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 117-1238: PROKID Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesAdoption and foster careAdvisory bodiesBorder security and unlawful immigrationCensus and government statisticsChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsDomestic violence and child abuseEvidence and witnessesExecutive agency funding and structureFamily relationshipsFederal officialsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHuman traffickingImmigration status and proceduresIntergovernmental relationsRefugees, asylum, displaced personsState and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication