The Public Oversight of Detention Centers Act of 2024 requires the Department of Homeland Security to grant Members of Congress and their designated staff immediate access to all detention facilities used to house immigrants, with no delays except for facilities housing immigrant minors, which must allow access within two business days of a request. The law prohibits officials from preventing visits or making temporary changes to facilities before a congressional visit that would alter what members see compared to normal operations. This legislation affects all detention facilities operated by DHS or its private contractors, as well as facilities run by the Department of Health and Human Services that house immigrant minors. The bill does not authorize any new funding and instead creates requirements for government agencies to comply with. There are no specific implementation timelines mentioned beyond the access deadlines for different facility types.
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