This bill adds a new section to Title 18 that makes it illegal for certain federal custody workers to negligently fail to get or give immediate medical help to someone in their custody who shows medical distress (the bill specifically notes breathing difficulties as an example). Covered officials include federal law enforcement officers, Bureau of Prisons staff, and United States Marshals Service staff. If the negligent failure causes unnecessary pain, injury, or death, the covered official can be fined, jailed for up to 1 year, or both. The bill requires the appropriate Inspector General to investigate such incidents, refer cases for prosecution when negligence is found, and provide a confidential complaint process. It also lets a State attorney general or a state-designated official bring civil actions when a state resident is aggrieved. Agency heads must provide training to covered officials on obtaining or providing medical assistance.
No publicly available information on costs or budgetary effects. The bill requires training and Inspector General investigations, but it does not include cost estimates or funding details.
The bill text and sponsors indicate the measure is intended to require immediate medical care for people in federal custody, create accountability for negligent failures that cause unnecessary harm or death, require investigations by Inspectors General, and add training for covered officials.
No publicly available information.