119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8922


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

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.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

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.”.