Federal Correctional Facilities COVID–19 Response Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (19 Oct 2020): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
The Federal Correctional Facilities COVID-19 Response Act, introduced in the Senate in October 2020, would require federal correctional facilities to provide COVID-19 testing at no cost to both incarcerated individuals and employees. It mandates initial testing within 15 days of enactment and the establishment of a weekly testing program for the duration of the pandemic. The bill also outlines requirements for follow-up care for those who test positive or show symptoms, including medical treatment for inmates and paid leave for employees.
Facilities would also need to report specific COVID-19 data to the Department of Justice, the CDC, and state public health authorities. The CDC would be required to send staff to facilities experiencing outbreaks. The bill includes provisions for protecting the privacy of health information collected through these testing and reporting activities and requires the Bureau of Prisons to update its COVID-19 management guidelines.
As an introduced bill in the 116th Congress, S. 4811 has not yet become law. Its next step would be referral to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for consideration. If the committee approves the bill, it would then proceed to the full Senate for a vote. If passed by the Senate, it would then go to the House of Representatives for similar consideration.
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
19 Oct 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 4811 do?
- The Federal Correctional Facilities COVID-19 Response Act, introduced in the Senate in October 2020, would require federal correctional facilities to provide COVID-19 testing at no cost to both incarcerated individuals and employees. It mandates initial testing within 15 days of enactment and the establishment of a weekly testing program for the duration of the pandemic. The bill also outlines requirements for follow-up care for those who test positive or show symptoms, including medical treatment for inmates and paid leave for employees. Facilities would also need to report specific COVID-19 data to the Department of Justice, the CDC, and state public health authorities. The CDC would be required to send staff to facilities experiencing outbreaks. The bill includes provisions for protecting the privacy of health information collected through these testing and reporting activities and requires the Bureau of Prisons to update its COVID-19 management guidelines. As an introduced bill in the 116th Congress, S. 4811 has not yet become law. Its next step would be referral to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for consideration. If the committee approves the bill, it would then proceed to the full Senate for a vote. If passed by the Senate, it would then go to the House of Representatives for similar consideration.
- Has S. 4811 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 4811. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 4811?
- S. 4811 was sponsored by Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (D-MA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 4811?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (19 Oct 2020).
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