I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4478 
To facilitate access to existing resources with respect to United States citizens 
arbitrarily detained or kidnapped overseas, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 6, 2023 
Mr. CLOUD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To facilitate access to existing resources with respect to 
United States citizens arbitrarily detained or kidnapped 
overseas, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Freeing Americans De-
tained Abroad Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WITH RESPECT TO 
UNITED STATES CITIZENS DETAINED OR KID-
NAPPED OVERSEAS. 
(a) AVAILABILITY OF EXISTING RESOURCES.—The 
Secretary of State shall display on a publicly available 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:07 Aug 05, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4478.IH
H4478
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
website of the Department a list of resources for which 
United States citizens who have been detained or kid-
napped overseas may be eligible and may be accessed by 
friends or family of such citizens. Such resources shall in-
clude legal services whether offered pro bono or with any 
other payment or fee structure. 
(b) TRAINING REQUIRED.—The Secretary of State 
shall ensure that each Foreign Service officer serving at 
any diplomatic or consular post overseas is trained, prior 
to such posting, with respect to cases of detention of 
United States citzens. Such training shall include each of 
the following: 
(1) What detention and arbitrary detention 
cases are and how to identify cases of United States 
citizens being arbitrarily detained. 
(2) How to engage with United States citizens 
overseas and family members of detained citizens. 
(3) How to connect United States citizens or 
their family members with legal assistance resources 
overseas. 
(4) How to liaise with the Special Presidential 
Envoy for Hostage Affairs office with respect to 
cases of arbitrary detention or kidnapping. 
(c) HOSTAGE AFFAIRS OFFICERS.—The Secretary of 
State, or an appropriate designee, shall designate one For-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:07 Aug 05, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4478.IH
H4478
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
eign Service officer at each overseas diplomatic or consular 
post as a ‘‘hostage affairs officer’’, who shall— 
(1) serve as a principle liaison between the post 
and the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Af-
fairs office; 
(2) coordinate with the Special Presidential 
Envoy for Hostage Affairs, the Ambassador to the 
host country, and the Deputy Chief of Mission on ef-
forts to free United States citizens detained or kid-
napped in the host country; 
(3) monitor and track all cases of United States 
citizens detained or kidnapped in the host country 
and the efforts to free such citizens; 
(4) connect family members of individuals arbi-
trarily detained or kidnapped overseas with the re-
sources described in subsection (a) and other appro-
priate resources, including resources specific to the 
host country; 
(5) coordinate efforts within the post to ensure 
United States citizens detained overseas are pro-
vided with appropriate assistance, including— 
(A) at least monthly meetings with a mem-
ber of the United States Embassy; 
(B) legal assistance; 
(C) medical assistance; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:07 Aug 05, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4478.IH
H4478
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(D) establishing an trust account through 
the Office of Overseas Citizens Services; 
(6) ensure that any incoming or newly des-
ignated hostage affairs officer is thoroughly briefed 
on all ongoing cases of United States citizens de-
tained in the host country and the status of all ef-
forts to free those detained or kidnapped and shall 
make available all information and materials col-
lected in accordance with paragraph (3) of this sub-
section; and 
(7) report to the Special Presidential Envoy for 
Hostage Affairs office cases of detention as such 
cases are identified by hostage affairs officer. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions of the Senate a report that includes— 
(1) a description of the curriculum developed to 
satisfy the training requirement under subsection 
(b); 
(2) the number of consular officers trained in 
accordance with subsection (b) on overseas detention 
of United States citizens; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:07 Aug 05, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4478.IH
H4478
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(3) the number of diplomatic and consular 
posts, as of the date of the submission of the report, 
that have a designated hostage affairs officer in ac-
cordance with subsection (c); and 
(4) the number of cases of arbitrary detention, 
including those designated as arbitrarily detained or 
kidnapped, of United States citizens in each country 
at which the United States maintains a diplomatic 
or consular post. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:07 Aug 05, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H4478.IH
H4478
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB