H.R. 3525House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 6:59 AM UTC

The U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to improve health screening for people intercepted by Customs and Border Protection between ports of entry. Within a year, the agency must research better ways to screen vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, and report recommendations to Congress. It also requires the creation of a department‑wide electronic health record system that border officials can use, with an assessment of its performance shortly after launch.

Key Provisions

Within one year, the Secretary of Homeland Security must conduct research on medical screening gaps for interdicted individuals, especially vulnerable populations, and submit recommendations to Congress.
The research must involve consultation with national medical professional associations and non‑governmental experts in emergency and pediatric care.
Within 90 days of the law’s enactment, DHS must establish an electronic health record system accessible to all border‑related components for individuals in custody.
Within 120 days after the system is in place, DHS must assess its capacity, identify improvements, and evaluate interoperability with other systems.

Legislative Activity

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20 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

October 15, 2019

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 27, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

June 27, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Homeland Security Committee

July 17, 2019

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Homeland Security Committee

July 17, 2019

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-211.

Homeland Security Committee

September 18, 2019

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 167.

September 18, 2019

HouseFloor

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 577 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525 and H. Res. 576. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525, and H.Res. 576 under closed rules. Rule also provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 26, 2019, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules; and provides for proceedings during the period from September 30, 2019, through October 14, 2019

September 24, 2019 • 7:28 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 577. (consideration: CR H8032-8037)

September 26, 2019 • 3:11 PM

HouseFloor

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525 and H. Res. 576. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525, and H.Res. 576 under closed rules. Rule also provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 26, 2019, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules; and provides for proceedings during the period from September 30, 2019, through October 14, 2019

September 26, 2019 • 3:11 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3525.

September 26, 2019 • 3:12 PM

HouseFloor

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

September 26, 2019 • 3:59 PM

HouseFloor

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on H.R. 3525.

September 26, 2019 • 3:59 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8038-8041)

September 26, 2019 • 4:54 PM

HouseFloor

Mr. Green (TN) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Homeland Security. (text: CR H8038)

Homeland Security Committee

September 26, 2019 • 4:55 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Green (TN) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back with an amendment to change the effective date of section 3 to September 30, 2027.

September 26, 2019 • 4:55 PM

HouseFloor

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

September 26, 2019 • 5:05 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 202 - 213 (Roll no. 551).

Homeland Security Committee

View vote Failed

September 26, 2019 • 5:13 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 184 (Roll no. 552).(text: CR H8032)

View vote Passed

September 26, 2019 • 5:22 PM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 184 (Roll no. 552). (text: CR H8032)

View vote Passed

September 26, 2019 • 5:22 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

September 26, 2019 • 5:22 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

October 15, 2019

Voting History

2 votes recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

September 26, 2019 at 5:21 PM

On Passage

Majority required: 1/2 (50%)

Passed

230 - 184

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

September 26, 2019 at 5:12 PM

On Motion to Recommit with Instructions

Majority required: 1/2 (50%)

Failed

202 - 213

Amendments

1 amendment

Offered to this bill

H.Amdt. 626Sep 26, 2019

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 577, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 116-33, modified by the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report is considered adopted.

On agreeing to the Rules amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection.

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued October 15, 2019

IIB

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3525

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

October 15, 2019

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

AN ACT

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish uniform processes for medical screening of individuals interdicted between ports of entry, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act .

Research regarding provision of medical screening of individuals interdicted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection between ports of entry

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Chief Medical Officer of the Department, shall research innovative approaches to address capability gaps regarding the provision of comprehensive medical screening of individuals, particularly children, pregnant women, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations, interdicted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection between ports of entry and issue to the Secretary recommendations for any necessary corrective actions.

(b)

Consultation

In carrying out the research required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security shall consult with appropriate national professional associations with expertise and non-governmental experts in emergency, nursing, and other medical care, including pediatric care.

(c)

Report

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing the recommendations referred to in subsection (a), together with information relating to what actions, if any, the Secretary plans to take in response to such recommendations.

Electronic health records implementation

(a)

In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer of the Department, shall establish within the Department an electronic health record system that can be accessed by all departmental components operating along the borders of the United States for individuals in the custody of such components.

(b)

Assessment

Not later than 120 days after the implementation of the electronic health records system, the Chief Information Officer, in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer, shall conduct an assessment of such system to determine system capacity for improvement and interoperability.

Passed the House of Representatives September 26, 2019.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk