The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act sets new rules for how the government treats people detained by immigration authorities. The law recognizes that even short-term detention harms children and aims to make detention facilities safer and more humane.

The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish minimum standards for all detention facilities based on guidelines from the American Bar Association. An independent inspector will visit every facility at least once a year without warning to check compliance. If a facility fails inspections, the government can impose fines on private contractors or shut down government-run facilities. When someone dies in custody, the government must investigate within 30 days and publicly report findings.

The law makes major changes to who can be detained and for how long. Children under 18 cannot be held in immigration detention at all. For adults, the government must make a custody decision within 48 hours and hold a hearing within 72 hours. There's now a presumption that people should be released unless the government proves with clear evidence they're a flight risk or danger. Judges must consider each person's financial situation when setting bail and can't keep someone detained just because they can't afford it. The law also creates community-based alternatives to detention, like case management and legal services, so people can be monitored outside of jail.

Within three years, all detention facilities must be government-run—private for-profit companies can no longer operate immigration jails. The government must provide better access to lawyers, legal orientation programs, and medical care. Solitary confinement is banned. Additionally, Congress members and oversight officials can visit facilities without advance notice to ensure conditions meet standards. The law also requires monthly public reporting on detention facility conditions, populations, and compliance with standards.