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

USA119th CongressHR-2718| House 
| Updated: 4/8/2025
Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (8)
Barry Moore (Republican)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6296
Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10367
Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2024
Apr 8, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1322
Introduced in Senate
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6296
    Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10367
    Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2024


  • April 8, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1322
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 8, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 8, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

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

USA119th CongressHR-2718| House 
| Updated: 4/8/2025
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6296
Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10367
Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2024
Apr 8, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1322
Introduced in Senate
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6296
    Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10367
    Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2024


  • April 8, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1322
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 8, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 8, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (8)
Barry Moore (Republican)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted