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Independent Oversight for Immigrant Children in Government Custody (PROKID Act)

This act establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson to monitor the welfare and treatment of immigrant children held in government and private detention facilities. The Ombudsperson acts as a watchdog, ensuring children are held in the least restrictive settings, released quickly when possible, and protected from abuse and neglect. The law mandates greater transparency and real-time data sharing from federal agencies regarding child custody.
Key points
Creation of an independent Ombudsperson with subpoena power and unobstructed access to all facilities and records to investigate abuse and monitor compliance with child welfare standards.
Requires federal agencies (DHS and HHS) to provide real-time data on the location, status, and length of detention for every immigrant child, with monthly public reporting on custody statistics.
The Ombudsperson must advocate for the release of children and their families from DHS custody within 72 hours of apprehension, emphasizing that detention is generally not in a child's best interest.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_8536
Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Process start date: 2024-05-23