Full-Body Restraint Prohibition Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7709

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.

Last Updated

2026-06-19T08:06:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation, titled the "Full-Body Restraint Prohibition Act," aims to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using federal funds to buy or employ full-body restraints—devices like four-point or five-point restraints that completely immobilize a person. It seeks to promote safer practices during interactions with DHS personnel, particularly in immigration and border enforcement contexts.

Key Provisions

• Prohibitions on Use and Funding: The Secretary of Homeland Security is barred from spending federal money to acquire full-body restraints or from using them in any DHS operations.
• Exceptions for Existing Contracts: The funding ban does not apply to contracts or agreements signed before the law takes effect.
• Employee Accountability: DHS officers or employees who violate the ban or mislead Congress or department leaders about it must be removed from federal service through standard disciplinary processes.
• Reporting Requirements:
• DHS must submit reports to specific congressional committees (House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security and Judiciary) within 90 days of enactment and every quarter after.
• Reports cover compliance status, an inventory of any existing full-body restraints in DHS possession, and—if a violation occurs—detailed information including:
• Identity of the restrained individual (without compromising privacy) and involved personnel.
• Reasons for use, demographics (age, sex, race, ethnicity), duration, citizenship/immigration status, injuries sustained, location or route of use, DHS component involved, and available language services.
• Whether the using officer was a qualified health professional (e.g., doctor or nurse) and their credentials.
• Definition: "Full-body restraints" are defined as four- or five-point devices that immobilize an individual, such as by securing limbs and torso.

The bill amends Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by adding a new Section 714 and updates the act's table of contents accordingly.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This introduces entirely new restrictions to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which previously had no specific prohibitions on full-body restraints or related funding.
• It adds mandatory reporting and severe disciplinary measures (automatic removal from service), shifting from voluntary guidelines to enforceable rules.
• No changes to broader restraint policies outside DHS, but it sets a precedent for federal agencies on restraint use.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: DHS will need to phase out full-body restraints, update training and policies, track inventory, and prepare detailed reports, increasing administrative workload and costs for compliance monitoring. Violations could lead to employee terminations, affecting morale and operations in components like Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• On Citizens and Individuals in Custody: People interacting with DHS—especially immigrants, detainees, or those in border encounters—may face reduced risk of injury from immobilizing restraints, potentially improving safety and treatment during arrests or transport. It could encourage alternatives like less restrictive methods.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may enhance the U.S. image in human rights discussions related to immigration enforcement, possibly influencing diplomatic talks on migrant treatment.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DHS Personnel and Leadership: Directly restricted in tools and practices; face reporting duties and risk of discipline.
• Individuals in DHS Custody: Primarily immigrants, asylum seekers, or border crossers who could benefit from safer restraint alternatives.
• Congressional Committees: House and Senate panels on Homeland Security and Judiciary, which receive ongoing reports and oversee enforcement.
• Advocacy Groups and Civil Rights Organizations: Those focused on immigrant rights or humane policing, who may support or monitor implementation.
• Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through reallocation of DHS funds away from prohibited items.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Strengthens accountability by tying violations to automatic removal from federal jobs, potentially reducing lawsuits over excessive force (e.g., claims of injury during restraint). The detailed reporting could aid investigations into misuse, but privacy concerns may arise in documenting individual details.
• Constitutional Implications: Aligns with the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment by limiting potentially harmful restraints in custody, though it does not explicitly reference constitutional rights. It may influence court interpretations of "reasonable" force in immigration contexts.
• Political Implications: Sponsored by a group of Democratic representatives, it reflects priorities on reforming immigration enforcement for humane treatment. Passage could spark debates on balancing security with rights, possibly leading to similar bans in other agencies or states. As an introduced bill (not yet law), its fate depends on committee review and floor votes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

Cosponsors (14)

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
• 2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
• 2026-02-25: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Full-Body Restraint Prohibition Act — issued 2026-02-25 — PDF (5 pages)