Accountability in Immigration Detention Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2314
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Due process and equal protection
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Hospital care
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services
Nutrition and diet
Outdoor recreation
Physical fitness and lifestyle
Public contracts and procurement
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Telephone and wireless communication
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

Accountability in Immigration Detention Act of 2015
 
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that persons detained pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act are treated in compliance with specified requirements regarding: (1) humane treatment, (2) detention facility standards, (3) solitary confinement limitations, (4) telephone access, (5) facility location, (6) investigation of grievances, (7) transfers, (8) language and translation services, (9) recreational programs and voluntary work, (10) medical care, (11) vulnerable populations, and (12) legal access.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish nationwide alternatives to detention programs that incorporate case management services in each DHS field office to ensure appearances at immigration proceedings and public safety.
 
States that the number of detention beds maintained shall be determined by the Secretary and shall be based solely on detention needs. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that appropriations Acts shall not mandate maintenance of a minimum number of detention beds.
 
Requires that all detention facilities be inspected by the Secretary on an annual basis and by an independent (third party) auditor on a biannual basis. 
 
Directs the Secretary to impose meaningful financial penalties upon facilities that fail to comply with applicable detention standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-06-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in House