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

This act aims to ensure that families of individuals in federal custody are promptly and respectfully notified in cases of death, serious injury, or illness. It establishes clear procedures for collecting emergency contact information, timely notifications, and handling personal belongings and remains, enhancing transparency and reducing distress for affected families.
Key points
Mandatory Family Notification: Detention agencies must notify next-of-kin within 12 hours of death and 48 hours of serious illness/injury.
Emergency Contact Collection: Agencies must collect emergency contact information upon taking custody, with options for updates.
Detailed Notification Content: Notifications must include pertinent circumstances, cause of death/injury, and treatment details.
Compassionate Communication: Standards for compassionate notification, including in-person or virtual meetings and mental health professional involvement.
Rights of Individuals in Custody: Individuals can opt out of notification or choose to notify their family personally. Providing information is voluntary.
Oversight and Transparency: Department of Justice to monitor compliance and publish notification policies for public access.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_6296
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Process start date: 2021-12-16
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_6296.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-12-16.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Mandatory Family Notification: Detention agencies must notify next-of-kin within 12 hours of death and 48 hours of serious illness/injury.
  • Emergency Contact Collection: Agencies must collect emergency contact information upon taking custody, with options for updates.
  • Detailed Notification Content: Notifications must include pertinent circumstances, cause of death/injury, and treatment details.
  • Compassionate Communication: Standards for compassionate notification, including in-person or virtual meetings and mental health professional involvement.
  • Rights of Individuals in Custody: Individuals can opt out of notification or choose to notify their family personally. Providing information is voluntary.
  • Oversight and Transparency: Department of Justice to monitor compliance and publish notification policies for public access.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Family Security