The Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025 would require the Department of Justice to create procedures for notifying a person’s emergency contact if the person dies or becomes seriously ill or injured in federal custody. It would also provide model procedures and support for state, local, territorial, and Tribal agencies. The procedures would cover collecting emergency contacts, notification deadlines and information, access to medical staff and visits, and handling remains and belongings. The bill would require agencies to document notification attempts and publish written plans.
If you are held by a Department of Justice detention agency, staff would ask for emergency contact information when they take custody of you and allow you to update it. Providing the information would be voluntary, and staff could not penalize you for refusing. If you name a contact, the procedures would set rules for notifying them about serious illness, serious injury, or death. The person you name would not take on a legal or financial obligation by being your contact.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s findings say that timely, compassionate notice can support the dignity of people in custody and help families receive information about a death, serious illness, or serious injury.
No publicly available information.