US HB4179

Authorizes the Secretary of State to designate foreign countries as "State Sponsors of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" for detaining U.S. nationals for political leverage, with designations automatically terminating after 6 months unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval

Requires the Secretary of State to brief Congress within 60 days on whether Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria, Venezuela, Belarus, and China should be designated under this new authority

Mandates a comprehensive review of available responses upon designation, including economic sanctions under IEEPA, visa restrictions, foreign assistance restrictions, export controls, and potential designation as a state sponsor of terrorism

Requires annual congressional briefings for 5 years from the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs and the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs on deterrence actions, plus testimony before Congress at least once per congressional session

Allows termination of designation if the Secretary certifies to Congress that the country has released detained U.S. nationals, demonstrated policy changes, or provided assurances against future wrongful detentions