WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4682 · 119th Congress

End Solitary Confinement Act

IntroducedCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Introduced. Latest step, Jul 23, 2025: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each … It would change 4 sections of existing law and would add 5 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

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H.R. 4682 would change 4 sections of existing law, and would create 5 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as introduced in the House (Jul 23, 2025).

18 U.S.C. 4014 Testing for human immunodeficiency virus

18 U.S.C. 4015

5 U.S.C. 413

42 U.S.C. 1997e

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Findings
  • Sec. 5 Creating State incentives to end solitary confinement
  • Sec. 6 Definitions
  • Sec. 8 Revisions to standard operating procedures and standards
  • Sec. 9 Appropriations and prohibition on use of funds
What the words would change: every change, in place (4)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 18 U.S.C. 4014addedby H.R. 4682 Sec. 3(b)

    The bill says: The table of contents for chapter 301 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4014 the following:

  2. 18 U.S.C. 4015addedby H.R. 4682 Sec. 4(a)

    The bill says: The table of contents for chapter 301 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4015, as added by section 3 of this Act, the following:

  3. 5 U.S.C. 413added (f)by H.R. 4682 Sec. 4(b)

    (f) Advisory body on ending solitary confinement.—(1) Definitions.— In this subsection, the terms "appropriate congressional committees" and "Inspector General" have the meanings given those terms in subsection (e).(2) Advisory body.—(A) In general.— The Inspector General shall—(i) establish an advisory body of stakeholders focused on overseeing implementation of section 4015 of title 18; and(ii) consult the advisory body for purposes of developing the inspection regime for overseeing such implementation and developing the recommendations included in the annual report of the Inspector General required under paragraph (3).(B) Membership.— The advisory body established under subparagraph (A) shall consist solely of individuals who—(i) have survived solitary confinement;(ii) have had loved ones in solitary confinement or have lost loved ones due to exposure to solitary confinement; or(iii) are faith leaders, medical or mental healthcare professionals, or civil rights or human rights advocates with experience engaging in advocacy or program operation related to reducing or ending the use of solitary confinement.(C) Consultation.—(i) In general.— The Inspector General shall consult with the advisory body established under subparagraph (A) regarding all aspects of overseeing implementation of section 4015 of title 18.(ii) Mental health care.— For all aspects of oversight of all provisions of section 4015 of title 18 involving the provision of mental health care, the Inspector General shall consult with members of the advisory body who are mental healthcare professionals, as well as individuals who have survived solitary confinement or have had loved ones in solitary confinement or have lost loved ones due to exposure to solitary confinement.(3) Annual report relating to section 4015 of title 18.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the End Solitary Confinement Act, and each year thereafter, the Inspector General shall submit to the Attorney General, the appropriate congressional committees, and the public an annual report in accordance with the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (e)(2)(D) assessing the implementation of all components of section 4015 of title 18.

    The bill says: Section 413 of title 5, United States Code, as amended by section 2 of the Federal Prison Oversight Act (Pub. L. 118–71; 138 Stat. 1492), is amended by adding at the end the following:

  4. 42 U.S.C. 1997e(e)rewrittenby H.R. 4682 Sec. 7

    The bill says: Section 7(e) of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (42 U.S.C. 1997e(e)) is amended to read as follows:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

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End Solitary Confinement Act

This bill restricts the use of solitary confinement and establishes minimum standards for incarceration at the federal, state, and local levels.

At the federal level, the bill generally prohibits the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities with limited exceptions, such as if necessary to de-escalate an emergency situation. The bill also establishes minimum standards for incarceration, including at least 14 hours per day of out-of-cell congregate interaction in a shared space that is conducive to meaningful group interaction.

The bill requires state and local governments to implement laws, policies, and programs that substantially comply with the restrictions on solitary confinement and minimum standards for incarceration in order to receive full funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program.

The bill establishes an independent community monitoring body, as well as an advisory body of stakeholders, to help provide oversight.

Finally, the bill allows a prisoner to file a federal civil action for mental or emotional injury suffered if there is a prior showing of placement in solitary confinement or an alternative unit.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jul 23, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. 2025-07-23Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 4 recorded actions

Cosponsors

  • Becca Balint D-VT-At Large
  • Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick D-FL-20
  • Judy Chu D-CA-28
  • Yvette D. Clarke D-NY-9
  • Adriano Espaillat D-NY-13
  • Dwight Evans D-PA-3
  • Maxwell Frost D-FL-10
  • Sylvia R. Garcia D-TX-29
  • Jesús G. "Chuy" García D-IL-4
  • Glenn Ivey D-MD-4
  • Jonathan L. Jackson D-IL-1
  • Pramila Jayapal D-WA-7
All 26 cosponsors
  • Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. D-GA-4
  • Robin L. Kelly D-IL-2
  • Summer L. Lee D-PA-12
  • Morgan McGarvey D-KY-3
  • LaMonica McIver D-NJ-10
  • Grace Meng D-NY-6
  • Eleanor Holmes Norton D-DC-At Large
  • Ayanna Pressley D-MA-7
  • Delia C. Ramirez D-IL-3
  • Lateefah Simon D-CA-12
  • Melanie A. Stansbury D-NM-1
  • Rashida Tlaib D-MI-12
  • Nydia M. Velázquez D-NY-7
  • Bonnie Watson Coleman D-NJ-12