Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-4682119th Congress
End Solitary Confinement Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
Introduced
Summary
Ends general solitary confinement in federal custody and creates strict limits, minimum out-of-cell time, and independent oversight. This bill would set baseline engagement, medical, and review standards to sharply restrict when and how people can be separated from the general population.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Byrne/JAG grants tied to compliance
If enacted, States and local Byrne/JAG recipients would need to certify annual substantial compliance with the Act within 180 days of enactment. Beginning the first fiscal year after enactment, the Attorney General would cut by at least 10 percent the Byrne/JAG funds for any State or local recipient that is not substantially compliant. The cut would not apply to funding for public defenders and certain community-based non‑carceral services.
Ban on general solitary and time-minimum
If enacted, the bill would mostly ban general solitary confinement in federal facilities and in facilities the federal government contracts with. People in federal custody would be entitled to at least 14 hours per day out of cell in shared spaces, including at least 7 hours of structured group programming and at least 1 hour of group recreation. The bill would also bar withholding visits, communications, programs, or basic needs as punishment and prohibit special administrative measures.
Limits on restraints and medical review
If enacted, the bill would generally ban restraints except when an individualized finding shows a specific, imminent risk of serious injury. When used, restraints must be least-restrictive and normally no longer than 4 hours unless a medical supervisor approves more time. Repeated or consecutive-day use would need hearing approval and daily medical review.
Medical separation and health-care rules
If enacted, the bill would limit medical separations (quarantine, isolation, psychiatric crisis) to cases where they are medically necessary and require care in medical units run by health staff. Staff would do immediate comprehensive assessments, give urgent treatment, check on the person at least every 15 minutes when applicable, and reauthorize placements daily after 24 hours. Facilities must transfer people to outside hospitals if they cannot provide required care.
Monitoring, IG advice, and public reports
If enacted, the Attorney General would create a 15‑member Community Monitoring Body within 90 days to make unannounced visits, access non‑classified records, interview people with informed consent, and publish findings. The DOJ Inspector General would set up a survivor-focused advisory body once funds are available. Agencies would also post quarterly facility-level data within 15 days after each fiscal quarter, including placements, self-harm, and disaggregated counts.
Placement hearings and due process protections
If enacted, the bill would require formal placement hearings before a neutral decisionmaker before someone is placed in an alternative unit for serious conduct. People would get at least 2 days' written notice, rights to present and challenge evidence, assistance or an appointed independent representative if needed, and a written decision within 5 business days. Multidisciplinary reviews must start within 15 days of placement and occur at least every 15 days.
Private lawsuits and civil remedies
If enacted, the bill would preserve constitutional suits and create a private cause of action for people harmed by violations of the Act's placement and confinement rules. Plaintiffs could seek injunctions, facility closure for repeated violations, money damages for emotional harm, and attorney's fees for prevailing plaintiffs.
Appropriations, agency duties, and construction ban
If enacted, Congress would be authorized to appropriate sums needed to implement the bill and agencies must add the Act's rules into their standards within 60 days of enactment. At the same time, money appropriated to carry out the Act could not be used to construct or renovate facilities for listed federal agencies or to install items that make incarceration more restrictive.
Tight time limits and lockdown rules
If enacted, the bill would sharply limit how long people can be kept in cells for counts, business, emergencies, or lockdowns. Examples: night count or sleep confinement would be up to 8 hours, daytime count/business up to 2 hours, emergency de-escalation generally up to 4 hours per incident and up to 12 hours in 7 days. Lockdowns would require hourly review after 2 hours and be allowed only when less-restrictive options are exhausted. The bill also creates narrow conditions that can shield agencies from liability for extended lockdowns when strict approvals and notifications occurred.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
NY • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]
MD • D
Sponsored 10/26/2026
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov