USC Subchapter VII

USC Subchapter VII
in effect

34 U.S.C. § 10221 Rules, regulations, and procedures; consultations and establishment

(a) General authorization of certain Federal agenciesThe Office of Justice Programs, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the National Institute of Justice are authorized, after appropriate consultation with representatives of States and units of local government, to establish such rules, regulations, and procedures as are necessary to the exercise of their functions, and as are consistent with the stated purposes of this chapter. (b) Continuing evaluation of selected programs or projects; cost, effectiveness, impact value, and comparative considerations; annual performance report; assessment of activity effectiveness; suspension of funds for nonsubmission of reportThe Bureau of Justice Assistance shall, after consultation with the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, State and local governments, and the appropriate public and private agencies, establish such rules and regulations as are necessary to assure the continuing evaluation of selected programs or projects conducted pursuant to subchapters V, XII, XIII, XIV, and XX, in order to determine—(1) whether such programs or projects have achieved the performance goals stated in the original application, are of proven effectiveness, have a record of proven success, or offer a high probability of improving the criminal justice system; (2) whether such programs or projects have contributed or are likely to contribute to the improvement of the criminal justice system and the reduction and prevention of crime; (3) their cost in relation to their effectiveness in achieving stated goals; (4) their impact on communities and participants; and (5) their implication for related programs. In conducting evaluations described in this subsection, the Bureau of Justice Assistance shall, when practical, compare the effectiveness of programs conducted by similar applicants and different applicants. The Bureau of Justice Assistance shall also require applicants under part A of subchapter V to submit an annual performance report concerning activities carried out pursuant to part A of subchapter V together with an assessment by the applicant of the effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of such part A and the relationships of those activities to the needs and objectives specified by the applicant in the application submitted pursuant to section 10153 of this title. Such report shall include details identifying each applicant that used any funds to purchase any cruiser, boat, or helicopter and, with respect to such applicant, specifying both the amount of funds used by such applicant for each purchase of any cruiser, boat, or helicopter and a justification of each such purchase (and the Bureau of Justice Assistance shall submit to the Committee of the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee of the Judiciary of the Senate, promptly after preparation of such report a written copy of the portion of such report containing the information required by this sentence). The Bureau shall suspend funding for an approved application under part A of subchapter V if an applicant fails to submit such an annual performance report. (c) Procedures for paperwork minimization and prevention of duplication and delays in award and expenditure of fundsThe procedures established to implement the provisions of this chapter shall minimize paperwork and prevent needless duplication and unnecessary delays in award and expenditure of funds at all levels of government.

34 U.S.C. § 10222 Notice and hearing on denial or termination of grant

Whenever, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record in accordance with section 554 of title 5, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics finds that a recipient of assistance under this chapter has failed to comply substantially with— (1) any provisions of this chapter; (2) any regulations or guidelines promulgated under this chapter; or (3) any application submitted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or the provisions of any other applicable Federal Act; the Director involved shall, until satisfied that there is no longer any such failure to comply, terminate payments to the recipient under this chapter, reduce payments to the recipient under this chapter by an amount equal to the amount of such payments which were not expended in accordance with this chapter, or limit the availability of payments under this chapter to programs, projects, or activities not affected by such failure to comply.

34 U.S.C. § 10223 Finality of determinations

In carrying out the functions vested by this chapter in the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, or the National Institute of Justice, their determinations, findings, and conclusions shall be final and conclusive upon all applications.

34 U.S.C. § 10224 Delegation of functions

The Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General, the Director of the National Institute of Justice, the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance may delegate to any of their respective officers or employees such functions under this chapter as they deem appropriate.

34 U.S.C. § 10225 Subpoena power; employment of hearing officers; authority to hold hearings

The Assistant Attorney General, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics may appoint (to be assigned or employed on an interim or as-needed basis) such hearing examiners (who shall, if so designated, be understood to be comprised within the meaning of “special government employee” under section 202 of title 18 (without regard to the days limitation prescribed therein), but shall, in no event, be understood to be (or to have the authority of) officers of the United States) or administrative law judges or request the use of such administrative law judges selected by the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to section 3344 of title 5, as shall be necessary or convenient to assist them in carrying out their respective powers and duties under any law administered by or under the Office. The Assistant Attorney General, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics or upon authorization, any member thereof, or (subject to such limitations as the appointing authority may, in its sole discretion, impose from time to time) any hearing examiner or administrative law judge assigned to or employed thereby, shall have the power to hold hearings and issue subpoenas, administer oaths, examine witnesses, conduct examinations, and receive evidence at any place in the United States they respectively may designate.

34 U.S.C. § 10226 Personnel and administrative authority

(a) Officers and employees of certain Federal agencies; employment; compensationThe Assistant Attorney General, the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Director of the Institute, and the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics are authorized to select, appoint, employ, and fix compensation of such officers and employees as shall be necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, respectively, under this chapter. (b) Use of available services; reimbursementThe Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics are authorized, on a reimbursable basis when appropriate, to use the available services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of Federal, State, and local agencies to the extent deemed appropriate after giving due consideration to the effectiveness of such existing services, equipment, personnel, and facilities. (c) Other Federal agency performance of functions under this chapter; reimbursementThe Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics may arrange with and reimburse the heads of other Federal departments and agencies for the performance of any of the functions under this chapter. (d) Experts and consultants; compensationThe Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, relating to appointments in the Federal service, at rates of compensation for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the rate of pay payable from time to time for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5. (e) Advisory committees; compensation and travel expenses of committee membersThe Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics are authorized to appoint, without regard to the provisions of title 5, advisory committees to advise them with respect to the administration of this chapter as they deem necessary. Such committees shall be subject to chapter 10 of title 5. Members of such committees not otherwise in the employ of the United States, while engaged in advising or attending meetings of such committees, shall be compensated at rates to be fixed by the Office but not to exceed the daily equivalent of the rate of pay payable from time to time for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, and while away from home or regular place of business they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as authorized by section 5703 of such title 5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently. (f) Payments; installments; advances or reimbursement; transportation and subsistence expenses for attendance at conferences or other assemblagesPayments under this chapter may be made in installments, and in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be determined by the Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, or the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and may be used to pay the transportation and subsistence expenses of persons attending conferences or other assemblages notwithstanding section 1345 of title 31. (g) Voluntary services; status as Federal employees; exceptionsThe Office, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics are authorized to accept and employ, in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, voluntary and uncompensated services notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31. Such individuals shall not be considered Federal employees except for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5 with respect to job-incurred disability and title 28 with respect to tort claims.

34 U.S.C. § 10227 Title to personal property

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, title to all expendable and nonexpendable personal property purchased with funds made available under this chapter, including such property purchased with funds made available under this chapter as in effect before October 12, 1984, shall vest in the criminal justice agency or nonprofit organization that purchased the property if it certifies to the State office responsible for the trust fund required by section 10158 of this title, or the State office described in section 1408 11 See References in Text note below.,,22 So in original. as the case may be, that it will use the property for criminal justice purposes. If such certification is not made, title to the property shall vest in the State office, which shall seek to have the property used for criminal justice purposes elsewhere in the State prior to using it or disposing of it in any other manner.

34 U.S.C. § 10228 Prohibition of Federal control over State and local criminal justice agencies; prohibition of discrimination

(a) General ruleNothing in this chapter or any other Act shall be construed to authorize any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over any police force or any other criminal justice agency of any State or any political subdivision thereof. (b) Racial imbalance requirement restrictionNotwithstanding any other provision of law, nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, or the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration—(1) to require, or condition the availability or amount of a grant upon the adoption by an applicant or grantee under this chapter of a percentage ratio, quota system, or other program to achieve racial balance in any criminal justice agency; or (2) to deny or discontinue a grant because of the refusal of an applicant or grantee under this chapter to adopt such a ratio, system, or other program. (c) Discrimination prohibited; notice of non-compliance; suspension and restoration of payments; hearing; civil action by Attorney General; private action, attorney fees, intervention by Attorney General(1) No person in any State shall on the ground of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under or denied employment in connection with any programs or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available under this chapter. (2)(A) Whenever there has been—(i) receipt of notice of a finding, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, by a Federal court (other than in an action brought by the Attorney General) or State court, or by a Federal or State administrative agency, to the effect that there has been a pattern or practice of discrimination in violation of paragraph (1); or (ii) a determination after an investigation by the Office of Justice Programs (prior to a hearing under subparagraph (F) but including an opportunity for the State government or unit of local government to make a documentary submission regarding the allegation of discrimination with respect to such program or activity, with funds made available under this chapter) that a State government or unit of local government is not in compliance with paragraph (1); the Office of Justice Programs shall, within ten days after such occurrence, notify the chief executive of the affected State, or the State in which the affected unit of local government is located, and the chief executive of such unit of local government, that such program or activity has been so found or determined not to be in compliance with paragraph (1), and shall request each chief executive, notified under this subparagraph with respect to such violation, to secure compliance. For purposes of clause (i) a finding by a Federal or State administrative agency shall be deemed rendered after notice and opportunity for a hearing if it is rendered pursuant to procedures consistent with the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5. (B) In the event the chief executive secures compliance after notice pursuant to subparagraph (A), the terms and conditions with which the affected State government or unit of local government agrees to comply shall be set forth in writing and signed by the chief executive of the State, by the chief executive of such unit (in the event of a violation by a unit of local government), and by the Office of Justice Programs. On or prior to the effective date of the agreement, the Office of Justice Programs shall send a copy of the agreement to each complainant, if any, with respect to such violation. The chief executive of the State, or the chief executive of the unit (in the event of a violation by a unit of local government) shall file semiannual reports with the Office of Justice Programs detailing the steps taken to comply with the agreement. These reports shall cease to be filed upon the determination of the Office of Justice Programs that compliance has been secured, or upon the determination by a Federal or State court that such State government or local governmental unit is in compliance with this section. Within fifteen days of receipt of such reports, the Office of Justice Programs shall send a copy thereof to each such complainant. (C) If, at the conclusion of ninety days after notification under subparagraph (A)—(i) compliance has not been secured by the chief executive of that State or the chief executive of that unit of local government; and (ii) an administrative law judge has not made a determination under subparagraph (F) that it is likely the State government or unit of local government will prevail on the merits; the Office of Justice Programs shall notify the Attorney General that compliance has not been secured and caused to have suspended further payment of any funds under this chapter to that program or activity. Such suspension shall be limited to the specific program or activity cited by the Office of Justice Programs in the notice under subparagraph (A). Such suspension shall be effective for a period of not more than one hundred and twenty days, or, if there is a hearing under subparagraph (G), not more than thirty days after the conclusion of such hearing, unless there has been an express finding by the Office of Justice Programs, after notice and opportunity for such a hearing, that the recipient is not in compliance with paragraph (1). (D) Payment of the suspended funds shall resume only if—(i) such State government or unit of local government enters into a compliance agreement approved by the Office of Justice Programs and the Attorney General in accordance with subparagraph (B); (ii) such State government or unit of local government complies fully with the final order or judgment of a Federal or State court, or by a Federal or State administrative agency if that order or judgment covers all the matters raised by the Office of Justice Programs in the notice pursuant to subparagraph (A), or is found to be in compliance with paragraph (1) by such court; or (iii) after a hearing the Office of Justice Programs pursuant to subparagraph (F) finds that noncompliance has not been demonstrated. (E) Whenever the Attorney General files a civil action alleging a pattern or practice of discriminatory conduct on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex in any program or activity of a State government or unit of local government which State government or unit of local government receives funds made available under this chapter, and the conduct allegedly violates the provisions of this section and neither party within forty-five days after such filing has been granted such preliminary relief with regard to the suspension or payment of funds as may be otherwise available by law, the Office of Justice Programs shall cause to have suspended further payment of any funds under this chapter to that specific program or activity alleged by the Attorney General to be in violation of the provisions of this subsection until such time as the court orders resumption of payment. (F) Prior to the suspension of funds under subparagraph (C), but within the ninety-day period after notification under subparagraph (C), the State government or unit of local government may request an expedited preliminary hearing on the record in accordance with section 554 of title 5, in order to determine whether it is likely that the State government or unit of local government would, at a full hearing under subparagraph (G), prevail on the merits on the issue of the alleged noncompliance. A finding under this subparagraph by the administrative law judge in favor of the State government or unit of local government shall defer the suspension of funds under subparagraph (C) pending a finding of noncompliance at the conclusion of the hearing on the merits under subparagraph (G). (G)(i) At any time after notification under subparagraph (A), but before the conclusion of the one-hundred-and-twenty-day period referred to in subparagraph (C), a State government or unit of local government may request a hearing on the record in accordance with section 554 of title 5, which the Office of Justice Programs shall initiate within sixty days of such request. (ii) Within thirty days after the conclusion of the hearing, or, in the absence of a hearing, at the conclusion of the one-hundred-and-twenty-day period referred to in subparagraph (C), the Office of Justice Programs shall make a finding of compliance or noncompliance. If the Office of Justice Programs makes a finding of noncompliance, the Office of Justice Programs shall notify the Attorney General in order that the Attorney General may institute a civil action under paragraph (3), cause to have terminated the payment of funds under this chapter, and, if appropriate, seek repayment of such funds. (iii) If the Office of Justice Programs makes a finding of compliance, payment of the suspended funds shall resume as provided in subparagraph (D). (H) Any State government or unit of local government aggrieved by a final determination of the Office of Justice Programs under subparagraph (G) may appeal such determination as provided in section 804 11 See References in Text note below.. (3) Whenever the Attorney General has reason to believe that a State government or unit of local government has engaged in or is engaging in a pattern or practice in violation of the provisions of this section, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate United States district court. Such court may grant as relief any temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction, or other order, as necessary or appropriate to insure the full enjoyment of the rights described in this section, including the suspension, termination, or repayment of such funds made available under this chapter as the court may deem appropriate, or placing any further such funds in escrow pending the outcome of the litigation. (4)(A) Whenever a State government or unit of local government, or any officer or employee thereof acting in an official capacity, has engaged or is engaging in any act or practice prohibited by this subsection, a civil action may be instituted after exhaustion of administrative remedies by the person aggrieved in an appropriate United States district court or in a State court of general jurisdiction. Administrative remedies shall be deemed to be exhausted upon the expiration of sixty days after the date the administrative complaint was filed with the Office of Justice Programs or any other administrative enforcement agency, unless within such period there has been a determination by the Office of Justice Programs or the agency on the merits of the complaint, in which case such remedies shall be deemed exhausted at the time the determination becomes final. (B) In any civil action brought by a private person to enforce compliance with any provision of this subsection, the court may grant to a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorney fees, unless the court determines that the lawsuit is frivolous, vexatious, brought for harassment purposes, or brought principally for the purpose of gaining attorney fees. (C) In any action instituted under this section to enforce compliance with paragraph (1), the Attorney General, or a specially designated assistant for or in the name of the United States, may intervene upon timely application if he certifies that the action is of general public importance. In such action the United States shall be entitled to the same relief as if it had instituted the action.

34 U.S.C. § 10229 Report to President and Congress

Not later than April 1 of each year, the Assistant Attorney General, the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the Director of the National Institute of Justice shall each submit a report to the President and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, on their activities under this chapter during the fiscal year next preceding such date.

34 U.S.C. § 10230 Other administrative provisions

(a) Recordkeeping requirement; scope of disclosure; other sources of fundsEach recipient of funds under this chapter shall keep such records as the Office of Justice Programs shall prescribe, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of the funds, the total cost of the project or undertaking for which such funds are used, and the amount of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit. (b) Access to records for audit and examinationThe Office of Justice Programs or any of its duly authorized representatives, shall have access for purpose of audit and examination of any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipients of funds under this chapter which in the opinion of the Office of Justice Programs may be related or pertinent to the grants, contracts, subcontracts, subgrants, or other arrangements referred to under this chapter. (c) Audit and examination period after completion of program or projectThe Comptroller General of the United States or any of his duly authorized representatives, shall, until the expiration of three years after the completion of the program or project with which the assistance is used, have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of recipients of Federal funds under this chapter which in the opinion of the Comptroller General may be related or pertinent to the grants, contracts, subcontracts, subgrants, or other arrangements referred to under this chapter. (d) Recipients of assistance subject to provisions of sectionThe provisions of this section shall apply to all recipients of assistance under this chapter, whether by direct grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this chapter or by subgrant or subcontract from primary grantees or contractors under this chapter. (e) Revolving fund for acquisition of stolen goods and property within Bureau of Justice AssistanceThere is hereby established within the Bureau of Justice Assistance a revolving fund for the purpose of supporting projects that will acquire stolen goods and property in an effort to disrupt illicit commerce in such goods and property. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any income or royalties generated from such projects together with income generated from any sale or use of such goods or property, where such goods or property are not claimed by their lawful owner, shall be paid into the revolving fund. Where a party establishes a legal right to such goods or property, the Administrator of the fund may in his discretion assert a claim against the property or goods in the amount of Federal funds used to purchase such goods or property. Proceeds from such claims shall be paid into the revolving fund. The Administrator is authorized to make disbursements by appropriate means, including grants, from the fund for the purpose of this section.

34 U.S.C. § 10231 Confidentiality of information

(a) Research or statistical information; immunity from process; prohibition against admission as evidence or use in any proceedingsNo officer or employee of the Federal Government, and no recipient of assistance under the provisions of this chapter shall use or reveal any research or statistical information furnished under any law to any component of the Office of Justice Programs, or furnished otherwise under this chapter, by any entity or person, including any information identifiable to any specific private person, for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was obtained in accordance with this chapter. Such information and copies thereof shall be immune from legal process, and shall not, without the consent of the entity or person furnishing such information or to whom such information pertains, be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any action, suit, or other judicial, legislative, or administrative proceedings. (b) Criminal history information; disposition and arrest data; procedures for collection, storage, dissemination, and current status; security and privacy; availability for law enforcement, criminal justice, and other lawful purposes; automated systems: review, challenge, and correction of informationAll criminal history information collected, stored, or disseminated through support under this chapter shall contain, to the maximum extent feasible, disposition as well as arrest data where arrest data is included therein. The collection, storage, and dissemination of such information shall take place under procedures reasonably designed to insure that all such information is kept current therein; the Office of Justice Programs shall assure that the security and privacy of all information is adequately provided for and that information shall only be used for law enforcement and criminal justice and other lawful purposes. In addition, an individual who believes that criminal history information concerning him contained in an automated system is inaccurate, incomplete, or maintained in violation of this chapter, shall, upon satisfactory verification of his identity, be entitled to review such information and to obtain a copy of it for the purpose of challenge or correction. (c) Criminal intelligence systems and information; prohibition against violation of privacy and constitutional rights of individualsAll criminal intelligence systems operating through support under this chapter shall collect, maintain, and disseminate criminal intelligence information in conformance with policy standards which are prescribed by the Office of Justice Programs and which are written to assure that the funding and operation of these systems furthers the purpose of this chapter and to assure that such systems are not utilized in violation of the privacy and constitutional rights of individuals. (d) Violations; fine as additional penaltyAny person violating the provisions of this section, or of any rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder, shall be fined not to exceed $10,000, in addition to any other penalty imposed by law.

34 U.S.C. § 10232 Administration of juvenile delinquency programs

The Director of the National Institute of Justice and the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics shall work closely with the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in developing and implementing programs in the juvenile justice and delinquency prevention field.

34 U.S.C. § 10233 Prohibition on land acquisition

No funds under this chapter shall be used for land acquisition.

34 U.S.C. § 10234 Prohibition on use of Central Intelligence Agency services

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no use will be made of services, facilities, or personnel of the Central Intelligence Agency.

34 U.S.C. § 10235 Indian liability waiver

Where a State does not have an adequate forum to enforce grant provisions imposing liability on Indian tribes, the Assistant Attorney General is authorized to waive State liability and may pursue such legal remedies as are necessary.

34 U.S.C. § 10236 District of Columbia matching fund source

Funds appropriated by the Congress for the activities of any agency of the District of Columbia government or the United States Government performing law enforcement functions in and for the District of Columbia may be used to provide the non-Federal share of the cost of programs or projects funded under this chapter.

34 U.S.C. § 10237 Limitation on civil justice matters

Authority of any entity established under this chapter shall extend to civil justice matters only to the extent that such civil justice matters bear directly and substantially upon criminal justice matters or are inextricably intertwined with criminal justice matters.

34 U.S.C. § 10238 Accountability and oversight

(a) Report by grant recipientsThe Attorney General or Secretary of Health and Human Services, as applicable, shall require grantees under any program authorized or reauthorized by this division or an amendment made by this division to report on the effectiveness of the activities carried out with amounts made available to carry out that program, including number of persons served, if applicable, numbers of persons seeking services who could not be served and such other information as the Attorney General or Secretary may prescribe. (b) Report to CongressThe Attorney General or Secretary of Health and Human Services, as applicable, shall report biennially to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate on the grant programs described in subsection (a), including the information contained in any report under that subsection.

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