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HR 3856 115th Congress House International Affairs Administrative law and regulatory procedures Art, artists, authorship Asia Books and print media China Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Department of the Treasury Detention of persons Elections, voting, political campaign regulation Europe Foreign labor Foreign property Higher education Hong Kong Human rights International exchange and broadcasting International law and treaties International organizations and cooperation

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017

Introduced: September 27, 2017 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 29, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Nov 29, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Sep 28, 2017
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1294)
Sep 27, 2017
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, 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.
Sep 27, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017

This bill amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Department of State to report to Congress (within 90 days and annually thereafter through 2023) on conditions in Hong Kong that are of U.S. interest.

Such report shall include matters in which Hong Kong is given separate treatment under U.S. laws from that accorded to China.

The State Department shall certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous to justify separate treatment different from that accorded to China in any new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements entered into between the United States and Hong Kong.

The President shall identify persons responsible for: (1) the surveillance, abduction, detention, or forced confessions of certain booksellers and journalists in Hong Kong; and (2) other actions suppressing basic freedoms.

The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny U.S. entry to identified individuals and revoke visas or other entry documentation.

Entry, work, or study visa applicants who resided in Hong Kong in 2014 shall not be denied visas on the basis of the applicant's arrest or detention or other adverse government action taken as a result of participation in the nonviolent protest activities related to Hong Kong's electoral process.

The President shall freeze the U.S.-based assets of identified individuals.

What's happening now November 29, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 417 Identical bill Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3856: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3856/
MLA
"H.R. 3856: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3856/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3856, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3856/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3856: Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3856/)
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