Department of Homeland Security Accountability Act of 2026

This legislation establishes new requirements for the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding incidents involving individuals in DHS custody. It mandates that the Secretary submit a notification to appropriate congressional committees and Members of Congress within 72 hours of any serious bodily injury or death occurring while an individual is in DHS custody, or as a result of actions by a Department employee, contractor, or agent. These notifications must include comprehensive details such as the date, time, location, circumstances, nationality of the individual, Department components involved, whether medical assistance was sought and provided, and descriptions of any use of force or firearms. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary to investigate all such serious bodily injuries and deaths. These investigations must be conducted by DHS employees outside the chain of command of those being investigated, and they must preserve video recordings for at least five years. Key provisions include placing employees who inflicted serious injury or lethal force on administrative leave, obtaining autopsies, and conducting mortality reviews to assess medical assistance and compliance with Department standards, with a report submitted to Congress within seven days of completion.