This bill, titled the "Families Deserve to Know Act," aims to establish comprehensive federal policies and procedures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding emergency contact notifications. It mandates that ICE notify an individual's next-of-kin or other designated emergency contact in the event of a death, serious illness, serious injury, or hospitalization while in custody. The legislation seeks to ensure transparency and timely communication with families of detainees. Upon taking custody, ICE must request specific emergency contact information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email, and the preferred order of notification. Individuals must also be asked about their preference for a faith leader's involvement and if they have a medical proxy or advance directive. Detainees are permitted to modify this information at any time and must be offered an opportunity to update it every 90 days, with all requests and disclosures provided in a language they understand. The bill sets strict notification timeframes: within 12 hours for a covered death and as soon as practicable, but no later than 12 to 24 hours , for serious illness or injury, depending on the severity. Notifications must include detailed circumstances, cause (if known), facility information, and a point of contact at ICE. For serious illness or injury, information about the event, the individual's condition, medical procedures, and treatment facility must be provided. Notifications must be delivered compassionately, professionally, and in the recipient's language, with specific guidelines for handling voicemails and offering in-person or virtual meetings for death notifications. The bill also outlines standards for managing the belongings and remains of deceased individuals, including repatriation assistance. For serious medical events, ICE must implement medical directives, facilitate communication between emergency contacts and medical staff, and ensure opportunities for visitation. The legislation applies to all facilities detaining individuals for ICE, including contract facilities, which must comply as a material term of their agreements. Non-compliance by contractors will result in a $100,000 civil penalty per day and potential contract termination and debarment for repeated failures. A "Family Notification Fund" will collect these penalties. Furthermore, the bill mandates congressional and public notification of deaths, detailed death reports, and semiannual reports to Congress, alongside audits by the Inspector General and a mechanism for complaints. Aggrieved parties can bring a civil action against the United States or contractors for violations, seeking actual or statutory damages of not less than $100,000 per violation, punitive damages for willful violations, and other relief, with a waiver of sovereign immunity.