Emergency GRACE Act

To expand compassionate release authority and elderly home confinement access for offenders with heightened coronavirus risk. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Emergency Grants of Release And Compassion Effectively Act of 2020 Emergency GRACE Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Director The term Director (2) Public health emergency The term public health emergency (A) means a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 247d (B) includes— (i) a public health emergency declared by the Governor of a State or territory in which a Bureau of Prisons facility is located; and (ii) the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020, in response to COVID–19. 3. Expedited compassionate release (a) Authority For purposes of a motion filed under section 3582(c)(1) of title 18, United States Code, during any period for which a public health emergency is in effect, the requirement to exhaust all administrative rights and the 30-day waiting period described in section 3582(c)(1) of title 18, United States Code, shall not apply. (b) Identifying compassionate release cases The Director shall— (1) identify defendants who are at a higher risk of death, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from the disease or illness for which the public health emergency was declared, including— (A) defendants over the age of 60; (B) defendants with a terminal illness, as defined in section 3582(d)(1) of title 18, United States Code; and (C) defendants with autoimmune disorders or serious medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, HIV, chronic or acute respiratory disease, or cancer; (2) upon a written request by a defendant for the medical records of the defendant, or in the case of the defendant's attorney, a request for the medical records of the defendant that declares under the penalty of perjury that the records are being sought in connection with a motion under subsection (a), promptly release all medical records from the year preceding the request to the parties specified in the request, including the court, the defendant, and any individual acting on the defendant's behalf; (3) ensure that there are adequate numbers of Bureau of Prison employees to carry out paragraph (1); and (4) provide guidance to Bureau of Prison employees consistent with public health and safety recommendations to prevent the spread of the disease or illness for which the public health emergency was declared. (c) Presumption In a motion filed under subsection (a) there shall be a presumption of sentence reduction for a defendant at a higher risk of death from the disease or illness for which the public health emergency was declared, including a defendant with autoimmune disorders or serious medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, HIV, chronic or acute respiratory disease, or cancer. (d) Legal representation The court may appoint a Federal public defender or community defender, or other counsel qualified to be appointed under section 3006A of title 18, United States Code, to assist a defendant seeking relief under this section. (e) Conforming amendments to section 3582 of title 18, United States Code Section 3582(c)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , including a case involving an offense committed on or before November 1, 1987 case (2) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking 70 years of age 60 years of age 4. Temporary release from Federal custody during a public health emergency (a) Temporary release from custody of the United States Marshals During a public health emergency, a court may order that an individual in the custody of the United States Marshals Service, or another Federal agency, be transferred to home confinement to the extent that the court determines such release to be necessary for the health and safety of the individual or the detention facility in which the individual would be placed. (b) Temporary furlough or transfer (1) In general During a public health emergency, a court may order that an individual in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons be furloughed or transferred to home confinement to the extent that the court determines such furlough or transfer to be necessary for the health and safety of the individual or the correctional facility in which the individual is held. (2) Factors to be considered In carrying out paragraph (1), the court may consider factors such as— (A) whether an individual filed a motion for a reduction of sentence under section 3(a); (B) the risk to the health and safety of the facility in which the individual is held, including an outbreak of a highly contagious virus or disease; and (C) the safety of the community in which a person will be released. 5. Allowing for medical assistance under medicaid for inmates during 30-day period preceding release The subdivision (A) following paragraph (30) of section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a) and except during the 30-day period preceding the date of release of such individual from such public institution medical institution 6. Stopping the spread of coronavirus in Federal prisons (a) Required action To stop the spread of coronavirus The Director shall require that all Bureau of Prisons facilities, including all contract facilities, follow the Centers for Disease Control recommended procedures for limiting the spread of the coronavirus, including robust and ongoing testing, providing adequate soap, medical care, comprehensive sanitation and cleaning of facilities, personal protective equipment, and other safety measures provided free of charge to— (1) individuals who are incarcerated or detained in a Bureau of Prisons facility, including all contract facilities; and (2) individuals who work or volunteer in a Bureau of Prisons facility, including all contract facilities. (b) Plans and procedures Not later than 7 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall— (1) release information about plans and procedures to address the coronavirus within Bureau of Prisons facilities, including all contract facilities; (2) update the number of coronavirus cases that exist in Bureau of Prisons facilities, including all contract facilities, and provide daily updates of the number; (3) begin the process of testing— (A) all individuals who are incarcerated or detained in a Bureau of Prisons facility or a contract facility; and (B) all individuals who work or volunteer in a Bureau of Prisons facility or contract facility; (4) provide prompt and accurate information about the number of coronavirus fatalities; (5) inform attorneys, families, and friends of inmates in custody when individuals are ill with coronavirus and continue to provide timely, up-to-date information about the health of loved ones; (6) provide information about visitation, communication policies, and lockdowns; and (7) give updates on healthcare services being provided. 7. Emergency appropriations for State sentencing reductions on the basis of age or medical condition There are hereby appropriated, out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for additional amounts for the Department of Justice for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance 1968 Act Provided Provided further Provided further Provided further

Summary: Emergency Grants of Release And Compassion Effectively Act of 2020 or the Emergency GRACE Act This bill makes various changes to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and expand the use of compassionate release programs in correctional facilities, including by providing emergency funding to nonfederal correctional facilities.