arrow_back Back to App

CBP Guidance: Protecting personal belongings of individuals under arrest or confinement.

This Act mandates U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop clear guidelines for handling the personal property of individuals under arrest or confinement. This ensures citizens taken into CBP custody have greater assurance that essential items, such as medication, eyeglasses, identification, and phones, will be secured and returned. The new guidance aims to minimize instances of discarding or losing important personal belongings.
Key points
Mandatory Property Return: CBP must return all stored personal property directly to the individual immediately upon release from custody.
Protection of Essential Property: Guidelines must specify that essential items, including religious articles, contact information, identification documents, cell phones, and currency, must be stored by CBP.
Medication and Medical Devices: Detainees are entitled to keep essential medical property (e.g., glasses, prosthetics) and medications, unless they pose a threat or are replaced with a U.S. equivalent medication.
Written Receipt Required: Individuals under arrest or confinement must be provided a written receipt for any personal property stored by CBP.
Monitoring and Reporting: CBP must monitor personnel compliance with the new guidance and annually report to Congress on instances where personal property was discarded.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_5389
Sponsor: Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Process start date: 2024-11-21
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-flash-latest
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

CBP Guidance on Personal Belongings Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_5389.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-11-21.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Mandatory Property Return: CBP must return all stored personal property directly to the individual immediately upon release from custody.
  • Protection of Essential Property: Guidelines must specify that essential items, including religious articles, contact information, identification documents, cell phones, and currency, must be stored by CBP.
  • Medication and Medical Devices: Detainees are entitled to keep essential medical property (e.g., glasses, prosthetics) and medications, unless they pose a threat or are replaced with a U.S. equivalent medication.
  • Written Receipt Required: Individuals under arrest or confinement must be provided a written receipt for any personal property stored by CBP.
  • Monitoring and Reporting: CBP must monitor personnel compliance with the new guidance and annually report to Congress on instances where personal property was discarded.
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 Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Security Courts and Law Migration