Federal Correctional Facilities COVID–19 Response Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (1 Oct 2020): Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
What this bill does
H.R. 8470, the Federal Correctional Facilities COVID-19 Response Act, would require federal correctional facilities to provide COVID-19 tests at no cost to both inmates and employees. It would also establish a weekly testing program that would continue through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, with inmates having the option to refuse testing. Facilities would need to provide medical care for those who test positive or show symptoms, and employees who test positive would receive paid leave for recovery.
The bill also mandates that correctional facilities report specific COVID-19 data to the Department of Justice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state public health authorities. If an outbreak occurs, the CDC would be required to send staff to the facility to help prevent further spread. Health privacy standards would apply to the data collected.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in October 2020 by Representative Nanette Barragán. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has been proposed but has not yet advanced through the legislative process.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Federal Correctional Facilities COVID-19 Response Act
This bill requires federal correctional facilities to provide COVID-19 tests at no cost to inmates and employees and otherwise addresses the management of COVID-19 in these facilities.
Correctional facilities operated by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and private facilities that house inmates under contract with federal entities must provide initial tests within 15 days of the enactment of this bill and also establish a weekly testing program that will remain in effect through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inmates may opt out of this testing. In addition, facilities must provide appropriate follow-up services for those who test positive for, or display symptoms of, COVID-19, including necessary medical care for inmates and access to paid leave for employees.
Furthermore, each facility must report specified COVID-19 data to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the public health authority of the state in which the facility is located. Specifically, facilities must report COVID-19 outbreaks to the CDC, and the CDC must deploy staff to facilities with outbreaks to prevent further spread of the disease.
The bill also applies certain federal privacy standards for health records to, and restricts the use of, any data collected as a result of the testing and reporting activities.
Additionally, the BOP, in consultation with the CDC and other experts, must update certain guidelines on managing COVID-19, and DOJ must also report to Congress on COVID-19 prevention, mitigation, and control activities at federal correctional facilities.
Timeline
1 Oct 2020
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8470 do?
- H.R. 8470, the Federal Correctional Facilities COVID-19 Response Act, would require federal correctional facilities to provide COVID-19 tests at no cost to both inmates and employees. It would also establish a weekly testing program that would continue through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, with inmates having the option to refuse testing. Facilities would need to provide medical care for those who test positive or show symptoms, and employees who test positive would receive paid leave for recovery. The bill also mandates that correctional facilities report specific COVID-19 data to the Department of Justice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state public health authorities. If an outbreak occurs, the CDC would be required to send staff to the facility to help prevent further spread. Health privacy standards would apply to the data collected. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in October 2020 by Representative Nanette Barragán. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has been proposed but has not yet advanced through the legislative process.
- Has H.R. 8470 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 8470. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8470?
- H.R. 8470 was sponsored by Rep. Barragan, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (D-CA), with 6 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8470?
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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. (1 Oct 2020).
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