Federal Prison Oversight Act

Bill: 118-hr-3019
Sponsor: Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-7]
Introduced: 2023-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Department of Justice
Detention of persons
Due process and equal protection
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internet, web applications, social media
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: 

Federal Prison Oversight Act

 
This bill establishes an inspections regime for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
 
 The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General must conduct risk-based evaluations of BOP facilities. 
 
An inspection of a facility may be announced or unannounced. Higher risk facilities must receive more frequent inspections.
 
The bill (1) provides for the establishment in DOJ of an Ombudsman who may receive complaints, make inquiries, and recommend actions, and decline to investigate or take action, as specified; and (2) prohibits BOP retaliation against any person or entity that has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, investigation, or inspection under this bill.
 
The ombudsman shall coordinate with the BOP to educate incarcerated people, their representatives, and the public about the existence and functions of the ombudsman.

action_date: 2024-07-25
text: 

Federal Prison Oversight Act 

This act establishes an inspections regime for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General must conduct risk-based evaluations of BOP facilities.

An inspection of a facility may be announced or unannounced. Higher risk facilities must receive more frequent inspections.

The bill (1) provides for the establishment in DOJ of an ombudsman who may receive complaints, make inquiries and recommend actions, and decline to investigate or take action, as specified; and (2) prohibits BOP retaliation against any person or entity that has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, investigation, or inspection under this act.

The ombudsman shall coordinate with the BOP to educate incarcerated people, their representatives, and the public about the existence and functions of the ombudsman.

This act becomes effective 90 days after appropriations are made available to DOJ and the DOJ Office of Inspector General for the specific purpose of carrying out this act. On and after such effective date, BOP must ensure that non-custody correctional employees spend 90% of their work week in their primary positions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-07-25
text: Became Public Law No: 118-71.
action_date: 2024-07-25
text: Became Public Law No: 118-71.
action_date: 2024-07-25
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-07-25
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-07-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-07-23
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-07-12
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-07-10
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4334-4337)
action_date: 2024-07-10
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4334-4337)
action_date: 2024-07-10
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-07-10
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-05-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 - 2 (Roll no. 220). (text: CR H3369-3372)
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 - 2 (Roll no. 220). (text: CR H3369-3372)
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3388-3389)
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3019.
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3369-3374)
action_date: 2024-05-21
text: Ms. Mace moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-04-10
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 1.
action_date: 2024-04-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-28
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 118-71