S 1478 United States Senate · 119th Congress

Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

The Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 creates a new "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" designation for foreign countries that fail to release U.S. citizens within 30 days of notification or support such detentions. It requires air carriers to obtain passenger certification that they've reviewed State Department travel advisories for countries with "D" (wrongful detention risk) or "K" (criminal/terrorist threat) indicators before booking travel. The bill also establishes an Advisory Council composed of former detainees, family members, and experts to advise on hostage and wrongful detention policies. Additionally, it mandates regular congressional reports on potential designations, responses to detentions, and improvements to existing hostage response components.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Apr 10, 2025 Last action Jun 18, 2025
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
upper
Jun 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors