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S. 3478 115th Congress Senate

FAMILIES Act

Official title: A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive strategy for maintaining situational awareness and operational control of high … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive strategy for maintaining situational awareness and operational control of high traffic areas along the borders, to address the protective custody of alien children accompanied by parents, to strengthen accountability for deployment of border security technology at the Department of Homeland Security, to encourage Federal agencies to coordinate on research and the development of technology to combat illicit opioid importation, to establish a narcotic drug screening technology pilot program to combat illicit opioid importation, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 18, 2018 Introduced by: Ron Johnson Republican · Wisconsin See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security
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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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 18, 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sep 18, 2018
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 18, 2018

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fixing America's Marred Immigration Laws to Improve and Ensure Security or the FAMILIES Act

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to inspect the conditions of family detention centers. It also requires reporting to the congressional homeland security committees on family separation, care of unaccompanied alien children, and alternatives to detention.

DHS must (1) submit to Congress a maritime border threat analysis describing current and potential terrorism threats and improvements needed at U.S. sea ports, (2) develop a plan for managing its border security technology program, (3) provide for an option under the Secure Mail Initiative to have the U.S. Postal Service use the hold for pickup service or the signature confirmation service in delivering a document, (4) revise standards the hiring and retention of border patrol agents, and (5) provide for the care of alien children under the age of 18 who are in detention.

 Related & companion bills 11
  • HR 505 Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2017
  • HR 2213 Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017
  • HR 2595 Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act
  • HR 5869 Maritime Border Security Review Act
  • HR 6181 Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act
  • HR 6190 Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act
  • S 146 Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2017
  • S 595 Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017
  • S 1208 Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act
  • S 1305 CBP HiRe Act
Show all 11 related billsShow fewer related bills
  • S 3093 Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3478: FAMILIES Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3478/
MLA
"S. 3478: FAMILIES Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3478/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3478, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3478/.
Markdown link
[S. 3478: FAMILIES Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3478/)
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