Introduced in House — H.R. 8922

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8922

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 20, 2026

Mr. Burchett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend section 3596 of title 18, United States Code, with respect to implementation of a sentence of death.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Detention Reform and Offender Penalties Act of 2026 or the DROP Act of 2026.

Sec. 2. Implementation of a sentence of death

Section 3596 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking prescribed by the law of the State and inserting prescribed by Federal law or by the law of the State; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(d) Method of execution
A sentence of death may be carried out upon a person using lethal injection or hanging.
(e) Written protocol
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the United States Marshals Service, in consultation with the Attorney General and qualified medical officials and qualified correctional officials, shall establish written protocols with respect to a method of execution permissible under subsection (d).
(f) Regulations
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Attorney General shall take such steps as necessary to revise section 26.3 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations in accordance with this section.
(g) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Qualified correctional official
The term qualified correctional official means an employee or officer of a Federal or State correctional institution with relevant experience in custodial or execution procedures.
(2) Qualified medical official
The term qualified medical official means a medical professional licensed to practice under applicable State law with relevant medical expertise regarding the physiological effects of a method of execution.