H.R. 9883House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Private Detention Corporate Accountability Act of 2026

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Updated July 30, 2026 at 3:21 AM UTC

The Private Detention Corporate Accountability Act of 2026 would let families of people who die while being held in privately run detention facilities sue those facilities and their staff. It creates a federal cause of action that applies alongside state law, and it targets private companies that contract with the federal government to hold individuals for alleged civil, criminal, or immigration violations.

Key Provisions

Allows an officer or employee of a private detention center who causes a wrongful death to be sued for at least $5 million in statutory damages, plus economic and punitive damages.
Provides that the deceased’s family or successor can file the lawsuit in a U.S. district court, and also preserves the right to sue in state court.
Makes the private detention center itself vicariously liable for the wrongful death caused by its staff.
Bars any claim of absolute or qualified immunity by officers or employees as a defense.
Defines “private detention center” as any private entity contracted by the federal government to hold people for alleged violations of civil, criminal, or immigration laws.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

July 22, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 22, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

July 22, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 22, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9883

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 22, 2026

Mr. Tran (for himself, Mr. Moulton, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and Mr. Thanedar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To create a private right of action to hold private detention centers liable for the wrongful death of any person being held in such private detention center, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Private Detention Corporate Accountability Act of 2026.

Private detention center liability

(a)

Private right of action

An officer or employee of a private detention center that causes the wrongful death of any person that was being held in such private detention center shall be liable, under the relevant State law, to the decedent or any successor in interest for—

(1)

statutory damages in an amount not less than $5,000,000 and economic damages; and

(2)

punitive damages, as appropriate.

(b)

Action in district court

The decedent or any successor in interest that suffered the harm described under subsection (a) may bring an action in the appropriate district court of the United States for the relief described under such subsection.

(c)

Vicarious liability

A private detention center shall be vicariously liable for any harm described under subsection (a).

(d)

No immunity defense

No officer or employee of a private detention center shall be entitled to assert any form of absolute or qualified immunity as a defense to liability under this section.

(e)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of the decedent or any successor in interest that suffered the harm described under subsection (a) from bringing an action in a State court for such harm.

(f)

Private detention center

The term private detention center means a private entity that has a contract with the Federal Government to hold any person due to any alleged or purported violations of civil, criminal, or immigration laws.