YourVoice.Now Summary
Transparency & AccountabilityCivil LibertiesCriminal Justice & Due ProcessFamilies would hear within 12 hours if a loved one dies in federal custody — with the cause and any investigation
Transparency & Accountability
The Justice Department's jails and prisons would have to reach the emergency contact within 12 hours of a death, between 6 a.m. and midnight. They would share the time and cause of death and whether it is under investigation, and why.
The jail would have to try to reach the family as soon as it can. It would share what happened, whether the person can speak, what treatment was given, and how to reach the doctors.
Every jail covered by these rules would write a plan for these notices and post it on its website. People would also get a copy when they are booked.
The Attorney General would name one person to take and look into complaints about late, missing, or poor notices, or about denied visits and calls. Families could not sue in court to enforce the rules.
Federal agencies like the U.S. Marshals often pay state, local, or private jails to hold people. Those contracts would have to require the same notice rules when they are signed or renewed.
Civil Liberties
People in custody would be asked for emergency contacts and medical wishes, but giving them would be up to them. Jails could not pressure them or charge a fine or fee if they say no or give wrong information.
Criminal Justice & Due Process
The Justice Department's rules would include giving family a real chance to visit a badly hurt or very sick person in custody. Family could also talk with the medical staff caring for them.
More about this bill
If a loved one dies in a federal jail or prison, their emergency contact would be told within 12 hours. The Justice Department would have one year to set these rules for its own jails and prisons. The call would cover the time and cause of death. It would also say if there is an investigation, and why. If the person gets very sick or badly hurt, the jail must try to reach you as soon as it can. People in custody would be asked for an emergency contact, but they would not have to give one. They could not be pushed or fined for saying no. Jails run by states, cities, and tribes would get sample rules and training from the Justice Department. They would not be required to use them. A Justice Department official would take complaints about missed notices. Families could not sue to enforce these rules.
Congressional Summary
Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop policies and procedures for notifying next-of-kin or other emergency contacts in the event of the death, or serious illness or serious injury, of an individual in custody. The bill requires DOJ to implement the policies and procedures at its detention agencies. Further, the bill requires DOJ to distribute model policies and procedures to state, territorial, tribal, and local detention agencies.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-04-08
- Date Added
- 2026-09-28
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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