S. 397 — Introduced in Senate

II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 397 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 7, 2019Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services from operating unlicensed temporary emergency shelters for unaccompanied alien children. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act. 2. Defined term In this Act, the term temporary emergency shelter means an unlicensed care provider facility that provides temporary emergency shelter and services for unaccompanied alien children when licensed facilities are near or at capacity. 3. Prohibition against temporary emergency shelters The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not maintain or operate (directly or through a contract) any temporary emergency shelter, including— (1) the temporary emergency shelter previously operational in Tornillo, Texas; and (2) the temporary emergency shelter in Homestead, Florida.