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

The "Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025" aims to establish clear federal policies for notifying family members when an individual in federal custody dies, becomes seriously ill, or is seriously injured. Citing numerous instances of delayed or inadequate notifications, the bill emphasizes the need for national standards to uphold human dignity and prevent additional trauma for loved ones. It directs the Attorney General to implement these policies for Department of Justice detention agencies and to develop model policies for state, local, and tribal entities. Key provisions include requiring detention agencies to collect emergency contact information from individuals upon taking custody, including preferences for notification order and medical proxy details. Notifications of death must occur within 12 hours , and for serious illness or injury, as soon as practicable but no later than 48 hours , ideally before medical procedures or discharge. These notifications must include pertinent details such as the time and cause of death, or the nature of the illness/injury, and contact information for medical providers. The bill also mandates compassionate and professional notification standards, including offering in-person or virtual meetings for death notifications and providing autopsy results to next-of-kin. It requires agencies to handle belongings and remains respectfully, and to document all notification attempts. Furthermore, the Attorney General will provide training and outreach to support state and local adoption of these model policies, and an Ombudsman will be appointed within the Department of Justice to investigate complaints regarding notification failures. Information collected under this Act is confidential and cannot be used for other purposes, and individuals cannot be coerced or penalized for not providing emergency contact details.