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S 1550 111th Congress Senate

Strong STANDARDS Act

Official title: A bill to ensure that individuals detained by the Department of Homeland Security are treated humanely, provided adequate medical care, and granted certain specified rights.

Introduced: July 30, 2009 See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesChild safety and welfareCongressional oversight
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Correctional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 30, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 30, 2009
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action July 30, 2009

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Safe Treatment, Avoiding Needless Deaths, and Abuse Reduction in the Detention System Act or the Strong STANDARDS Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) ensure that all individuals subject to detention under the Immigration and Nationality Act (detainees) are treated humanely and granted specified protections; and (2) comply with minimum requirements concerning detainees set forth in this Act.

Sets forth requirements concerning a wide range of issues, including: (1) detainee medical care, examinations, and records; (2) detainee releases, transfers, and transportation; (3) detainee access to telephones, legal information and representation, translation services, and recreational activities; (4) protection of detainees from abuse, the unique needs of vulnerable detainees, and the segregation of children; (5) limitations on solitary confinement, shackling, and strip searches; (6) detainee visits with religious individuals and children; (7) detention facility personnel training; (8) detainee grievances; and (9) facility compliance.

Sets forth specific requirements for short-term (72 hours or less) detention facilities, including concerning: (1) provision of basic needs, detainee access to consular officials and health care professionals, and the return of property; and (2) protections for children.

Requires the Secretary to appoint and convene an Immigration Detention Commission to conduct independent investigations of detention facility and DHS compliance with requirements under this Act. Establishes reporting requirements concerning any individual who dies while in DHS custody.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1550: Strong STANDARDS Act. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-1550/
MLA
"S. 1550: Strong STANDARDS Act." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-1550/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1550, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-1550/.
Markdown link
[S. 1550: Strong STANDARDS Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-1550/)
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