I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1611 
To provide assistance for United States citizens and nationals taken hostage 
or unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 7, 2019 
Mr. DEUTCH (for himself, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. TED LIEU of 
California, and Mr. WALTZ) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide assistance for United States citizens and nation-
als taken hostage or unlawfully or wrongfully detained 
abroad, 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 ‘‘Robert Levinson Hos-
tage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND 
NATIONALS UNLAWFULLY OR WRONGFULLY 
DETAINED ABROAD. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Secretary of State shall review the 
cases of citizens and nationals of the United States de-
tained abroad to determine if there is credible information 
that they are being detained unlawfully or wrongfully, 
based on criteria including whether— 
(1) the detained individual has presented cred-
ible information of factual innocence to United 
States officials; 
(2) information exists that the individual is de-
tained solely or substantially because he or she is a 
citizen or national of the United States; 
(3) information exists that the individual is 
being detained in violation of internationally pro-
tected rights and freedoms, such as freedom of ex-
pression, association, assembly, and religion; 
(4) the individual is being detained in violation 
of the laws of the detaining country; 
(5) independent nongovernmental organizations 
or journalists have raised legitimate questions about 
the innocence of the detained individual; 
(6) the United States embassy in the country 
where the individual is detained has received credible 
reports that the detention is a pretext; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
(7) police reports show evidence of the lack of 
a credible investigation; 
(8) the individual is detained in a country 
where the Department of State has determined in its 
annual human rights reports that the judicial system 
is not independent or impartial, is susceptible to cor-
ruption, or is incapable of rendering just verdicts; 
(9) the individual is detained in inhumane con-
ditions; and 
(10) the international right to due process of 
law has been sufficiently impaired so as to render 
the detention arbitrary. 
(b) REFERRALS TO THE SPECIAL ENVOY.—Upon a 
determination by the Secretary of State that there is cred-
ible information that the detention of a United States na-
tional abroad is unlawful or wrongful, and regardless of 
whether the detention is by a foreign government or a non- 
governmental actor, the Secretary shall transfer responsi-
bility for such case from the Bureau of Consular Affairs 
of the Department of State to the Special Envoy for Hos-
tage Affairs created pursuant to section 3. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) BIANNUAL
REPORT.—With respect to 
United States nationals for whom the Secretary de-
termines there is credible information of unlawful or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
wrongful detention abroad, the Secretary shall sub-
mit a biannual report to the appropriate congres-
sional committees. 
(2) COMPOSITION.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include current estimates of the 
number of individuals so detained, as well as rel-
evant information about particular cases, such as— 
(A) the name of the individual, unless the 
provision of such information is inconsistent 
with section 552a of title 5, United States Code 
(commonly known as the ‘‘Privacy Act of 
1974’’); 
(B) basic facts about the case; 
(C) a summary of the information that 
such individual may be detained unlawfully or 
wrongfully; 
(D) a description of specific efforts, legal 
and diplomatic, taken on behalf of the indi-
vidual since the last reporting period, including 
a description of accomplishments and setbacks; 
and 
(E) a description of intended next steps. 
(d) RESOURCE MANUAL.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and after 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
consulting with relevant organizations that advocate 
on behalf of United States citizens and national de-
tained abroad, the Secretary of State shall publish 
a resource manual for government officials and fam-
ilies of unjustly or wrongfully detained individuals. 
(2) CONTENT.—The resource manual required 
under paragraph (1) shall include suggested actions 
designed to obtain the release of unjustly or wrong-
fully detained individuals, including— 
(A) acting through traditional diplomatic 
and consular channels to ensure prompt and 
regular access for the detained individual to 
legal counsel, family members, humane treat-
ment, and other services; 
(B) sanctions tools including withholding 
assistance to the foreign government, in cases 
where relevant, and denying or revoking visas 
and freezing assets of individuals perpetrating 
the unjust or wrongful detention; 
(C) submitting public or private letters 
from members of Congress or other individuals 
who may be influential in securing the release 
of an individual; and 
(D) consulting with relevant legal and 
human rights organizations. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 3. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR HOSTAGE AFFAIRS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be a Special Pres-
idential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Sen-
ate, who shall report to the Secretary of State. 
(b) RANK.—The Special Envoy shall have the rank 
and status of ambassador. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Special Presidential 
Envoy for Hostage Affairs shall— 
(1) lead diplomatic engagement on United 
States hostage policy; 
(2) coordinate all diplomatic engagements in 
support of hostage recovery efforts, in coordination 
with the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and con-
sistent with policy guidance communicated through 
the Hostage Response Group; 
(3) coordinate with the Hostage Recovery Fu-
sion Cell proposals for diplomatic engagements and 
strategy in support of hostage recovery efforts; 
(4) provide senior representation from the Spe-
cial Envoy’s office to the Hostage Recovery Fusion 
Cell established under section 4 and the Hostage Re-
sponse Group established under section 5; and 
(5) in coordination with the Hostage Recovery 
Fusion Cell as appropriate, coordinate diplomatic 
engagements regarding cases in which a foreign gov-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
ernment confirms that it has detained a United 
States national but the United States Government 
regards such detention as unlawful or wrongful. 
SEC. 4. HOSTAGE RECOVERY FUSION CELL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish 
an interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell. 
(b) PARTICIPATION.—The President shall direct the 
heads of each of the following executive departments, 
agencies, and offices to make available personnel to par-
ticipate in the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell: 
(1) The Department of State. 
(2) The Department of the Treasury. 
(3) The Department of Defense. 
(4) The Department of Justice. 
(5) The Office of the Director of National Intel-
ligence. 
(6) The Federal Bureau of Investigation. 
(7) The Central Intelligence Agency. 
(8) Other agencies as the President, from time 
to time, may designate. 
(c) PERSONNEL.—The Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell 
shall have— 
(1) a Director, who shall be a full-time senior 
officer or employee of the United States Govern-
ment; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
(2) a Family Engagement Coordinator; and 
(3) other officers and employees as deemed ap-
propriate by the President. 
(d) DUTIES.—The Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell 
shall— 
(1) coordinate efforts by participating agencies 
to ensure that all relevant information, expertise, 
and resources are brought to bear to secure the safe 
recovery of United States nationals held hostage 
abroad; 
(2) if directed, coordinate the United States 
Government’s response to other hostage-takings oc-
curring abroad in which the United States has a na-
tional interest; and 
(3) pursuant to policy guidance coordinated 
through the National Security Council— 
(A) identify and recommend hostage recov-
ery options and strategies to the President 
through the National Security Council; 
(B) coordinate efforts by participating 
agencies to ensure that information regarding 
hostage events, including potential recovery op-
tions and engagements with families and exter-
nal actors (including foreign governments), is 
appropriately shared within the United States 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
Government to facilitate a coordinated response 
to a hostage-taking; 
(C) assess and track all hostage-takings of 
United States nationals abroad and provide reg-
ular reports to the President on the status of 
such cases and any measures being taken to-
ward the hostages’ safe recovery; 
(D) provide a forum for intelligence shar-
ing and, with the support of the Director of Na-
tional Intelligence, coordinate the declassifica-
tion of relevant information; 
(E) coordinate efforts by participating 
agencies to provide appropriate support and as-
sistance to hostages and their families in a co-
ordinated and consistent manner and to provide 
families with timely information regarding sig-
nificant events in their cases; 
(F) make recommendations to agencies in 
order to reduce the likelihood of United States 
nationals’ being taken hostage abroad and en-
hance United States Government preparation to 
maximize the probability of a favorable outcome 
following a hostage-taking; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
(G) coordinate with agencies regarding 
congressional, media, and other public inquiries 
pertaining to hostage events. 
SEC. 5. HOSTAGE RESPONSE GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish 
a Hostage Response Group, to be convened on a regular 
basis, as well as upon the request of the National Security 
Council, to further the safe recovery of United States na-
tionals held abroad, and to be tasked with coordinating 
the United States Government response to other hostage- 
takings occurring abroad in which the United States has 
a national interest. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The regular members of the Hos-
tage Response Group shall include the Director of the 
Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, the Hostage Recovery Fu-
sion Cell’s Family Engagement Coordinator, the Special 
Envoy appointed pursuant to section 3, and representa-
tives from the Department of the Treasury, the Depart-
ment of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of Na-
tional Intelligence, and other agencies as the President, 
from time to time, may designate. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Hostage Recovery Group shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President may impose the 
sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to any 
foreign person the President determines, based on credible 
evidence— 
(1) is responsible for or complicit in, or respon-
sible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, 
the unlawful or wrongful detention abroad of a 
United States national; 
(2) acts as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign 
person in a matter relating to an activity described 
in paragraph (1); or 
(3) materially assists, sponsors, or provides fi-
nancial, material, or technological support for, or 
goods or services in support of, an activity described 
in paragraph (1). 
(b) SANCTIONS
DESCRIBED.—The sanctions de-
scribed in this subsection are the following: 
(1) INADMISSIBILITY TO UNITED STATES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a foreign 
person who is an individual— 
(i) ineligibility to receive a visa to 
enter the United States or to be admitted 
to the United States; or 
(ii) if the individual has been issued a 
visa or other documentation, revocation, in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
accordance with section 221(i) of the Im-
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1201(i)), of the visa or other documenta-
tion. 
(B) EXCEPTION TO COMPLY WITH UNITED 
NATIONS
HEADQUARTERS
AGREEMENT
AND 
LAW
ENFORCEMENT
OBJECTIVES.—Sanctions 
under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an 
individual if admitting the individual into the 
United States would further important law en-
forcement objectives or is necessary to permit 
the United States to comply with the Agree-
ment regarding the Headquarters of the United 
Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 
1947, and entered into force November 21, 
1947, between the United Nations and the 
United States, or other applicable international 
obligations of the United States. 
(2) BLOCKING OF PROPERTY.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The blocking, in ac-
cordance with the International Emergency 
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), 
of all transactions in all property and interests 
in property of a foreign person if such property 
and interests in property are in the United 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
States, come within the United States, or are or 
come within the possession or control of a 
United States person. 
(B) INAPPLICABILITY OF NATIONAL EMER-
GENCY
REQUIREMENT.—The requirements of 
section 202 of the International Emergency 
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall 
not apply for purposes of this section. 
(C) EXCEPTION
RELATING
TO
IMPORTA-
TION OF GOODS.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The authority to 
block and prohibit all transactions in all 
property and interests in property under 
subparagraph (A) shall not include the au-
thority to impose sanctions on the importa-
tion of goods. 
(ii) GOOD.—In this subparagraph, the 
term ‘‘good’’ means any article, natural or 
man-made substance, material, supply or 
manufactured product, including inspection 
and test equipment, and excluding tech-
nical data. 
(c) ENFORCEMENT OF BLOCKING OF PROPERTY.— 
A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to 
violate, or causes a violation of subsection (b)(2) or any 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
regulation, license, or order issued to carry out that sub-
section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in sub-
sections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International 
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the 
same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act de-
scribed in subsection (a) of that section. 
(d) TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS.—The President 
may terminate the application of sanctions under this sec-
tion with respect to a person if the President determines 
and reports to the appropriate congressional committees 
not later than 15 days before the termination of the sanc-
tions that— 
(1) credible information exists that the person 
did not engage in the activity for which sanctions 
were imposed; 
(2) the person has been prosecuted appro-
priately for the activity for which sanctions were im-
posed; 
(3) the person has credibly demonstrated a sig-
nificant change in behavior, has paid an appropriate 
consequence for the activity for which sanctions were 
imposed, and has credibly committed to not engage 
in an activity described in subsection (a) in the fu-
ture; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
(4) the termination of the sanctions is in the 
national security interests of the United States. 
(e) REGULATORY AUTHORITY.—The President shall 
issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as are nec-
essary to carry out this section. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FOREIGN PERSON.—The term ‘‘foreign per-
son’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
595.304 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (as 
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment 
of this Act). 
(2) 
UNITED
STATES
PERSON.—The 
term 
‘‘United States person’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 595.315 of title 31, Code of Federal 
Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date 
of the enactment of this Act). 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.— 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—In this Act, the term ‘‘appropriate congres-
sional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, 
the Committee on Appropriations, the Com-
mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af-
fairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Com-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
mittee on Armed Services, and the Select Com-
mittee on Intelligence of the United States Sen-
ate; and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the 
Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
on Financial Services, the Committee on the 
Judiciary, the Committee on Armed Services, 
and the Permanent Select Committee on Intel-
ligence of the House of Representatives. 
(2) UNITED
STATES
NATIONAL.—The term 
‘‘United States national’’ means— 
(A) a United States national as defined in 
section 101(a)(22) or section 308 of the Immi-
gration 
and 
Nationality 
Act 
(8 
U.S.C. 
1101(a)(22), 8 U.S.C. 1408); and 
(B) a lawful permanent resident alien with 
significant ties to the United States. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:09 Mar 21, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H1611.IH
H1611
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS