H.R. 3525 — what changed

“437. Medical screening of individuals interdicted between ports of entry

changed “(a) In general—To improve border security and the processing of individuals and families interdicted by the U.S. Border Patrol between ports of entry, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer of the Department, shall shall, not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, establish uniform processes and training to ensure consistent and efficient medical screening of all individuals individuals, with priority given to children who have not yet attained the age of 18, so interdicted within before transfer from U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody, but in no case longer than 12 hours of after such interdiction.interdiction, or 6 hours in the case of a high priority individual. Such screening should be conducted by a medical professional and should be developed in collaboration with non-governmental experts in the delivery of health care in humanitarian crises and in the delivery of health care to children.

“(b) Screening process components—At a minimum, the uniform processes and training established under subsection (a) shall include the following:

changed “(1) Requirements for initial in-person screening that includes documentation of the following:

changed “(A) Current medical complaints Visual assessment of overall physical and concerns.behavioral state, including any possible disability.

changed “(B) A brief medical history to identify history, including demographic information, current medications (including a list of confiscated medications and whether such have been replaced), and any chronic or past illnesses.

changed “(C) Basic vital statistics.Any current medical complaints.

added “(D) A physical examination that includes the screening of vital signs such as body temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure.

“(2) Criteria for determining when to make a referral to higher medical care and a process to execute such referral.

removed “(3) Recordkeeping requirements.

changed “(c) Dissemination and training—The uniform processes and training shall be made available “(3) Recordkeeping requirements regarding how information is to appropriate personnel be recorded for each initial screening under paragraph (1), including information on the use of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Department components, offices, and contractors, as appropriate.”interpretation services.

added “(4) Review by a medical professional of any prescribed medication that is in the detainee’s possession or that was confiscated upon arrival to determine if such medication may be kept by such detainee for use during detention, properly stored with appropriate access for use during detention, or maintained with a detainee’s personal property.

added “(5) Chaperones for the physical examination of minors, including, as appropriate, the parent, legal guardian, or the such minors’ closest present adult relative, or a U.S. Border Patrol agent of the same gender.

added “(c) Pediatric expertise—A pediatric medical expert shall be on site in every U.S. Border Patrol sector, including at U.S. Border Patrol processing centers and at U.S. Border Patrol facilities at which 20 percent or more of detained individuals over the immediately preceding six month period are minors. The Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol shall prepare a plan to deploy in-person or technology-facilitated medical consultation with a licensed medical professional to U.S. Border Patrol facilities that experience an increase in apprehensions of children greater than 10 percent over the preceding 60 days.

added “(d) Definition—In this section, the term “high priority individual” means an individual who self-identifies as having a medical condition needing prompt attention, exhibits signs of acute illness, is pregnant, is a child, or is elderly.

added “(e) Training—Not later than 60 days after the issuance of the uniform processes and training established under subsection (a), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure that any individual carrying out medical screening under this section at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility of individuals interdicted by the U.S. Border Patrol between ports of entry shall complete training on such uniform processes.”