Summary

Creates a formal process for the Secretary of State to designate a foreign country as a “State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention” when that country or actors in it detain a U.S. national unlawfully or wrongfully, fail to release the person after U.S. notice, are responsible or complicit in the detention, or otherwise pose a continuing risk to U.S. nationals abroad. The designation authority requires consultation with other federal agencies, a short congressional notice and justification, reporting, and rules for terminating or extending a designation—including an automatic 6‑month expiration unless Congress approves the designation by joint resolution.

• Creates a new State Department authority to designate countries as sponsors of unlawful or wrongful detention of U.S. nationals.
• Designation can be based on actual detention, failure to release within 30 days after U.S. notice, government responsibility/complicity, or an assessed ongoing risk to U.S. nationals.
• Secretary must consult other agencies and notify congressional committees within 7 days with a written justification and description of U.S. actions.
• Designations automatically expire after 6 months unless Congress approves the designation by joint resolution.
• Secretary can terminate a designation earlier if certifying to Congress that the country has remedied the conduct or provided assurances.
• Re-designation is restricted for 6 months after an automatic expiration unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving the original designation.
• The amendment adds administrative requirements and oversight but does not itself create sanctions, appropriations, or new funding.
• Placed within the existing hostage-recovery/hostage-taking accountability statute to create a focused diplomatic tool.