CHAPTER 501—EMERGENCY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE

        

§50101. Application for assistance

(a) State as applicant

In the event that a law enforcement emergency exists throughout a State or a part of a State, a State (on behalf of itself or another appropriate unit of government) may submit an application under this section for Federal law enforcement assistance.

(b) Execution of application; period for action of Attorney General on application

An application for assistance under this section shall be submitted in writing by the chief executive officer of a State to the Attorney General, in a form prescribed by rules issued by the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall, after consultation with the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs and appropriate members of the Federal law enforcement community, approve or disapprove such application not later than 10 days after receiving such application.

(c) Criteria

Federal law enforcement assistance may be provided if such assistance is necessary to provide an adequate response to a law enforcement emergency. In determining whether to approve or disapprove an application for assistance under this section, the Attorney General shall consider—

(1) the nature and extent of such emergency throughout a State or in any part of a State,

(2) the situation or extraordinary circumstances which produced such emergency,

(3) the availability of State and local criminal justice resources to resolve the problem,

(4) the cost associated with the increased Federal presence,

(5) the need to avoid unnecessary Federal involvement and intervention in matters primarily of State and local concern, and

(6) any assistance which the State or other appropriate unit of government has received, or could receive, under any provision of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 [34 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609M, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2103; Pub. L. 109–162, title XI, §1113, Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3103.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, referred to in subsec. (c)(6), is Pub. L. 90–351, June 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 197. Title I of the Act is classified principally to chapter 101 (§10101 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1968 Act note set out under section 10101 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10501 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–162 substituted "the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs" for "the Director of the Office of Justice Assistance".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Chapter effective Oct. 12, 1984, see section 609AA(a) of Pub. L. 98–473, set out as a note under section 10101 of this title.

§50102. Definitions

For purposes of this chapter—

(1) the term "Federal law enforcement assistance" means funds, equipment, training, intelligence information, and personnel,

(2) the term "Federal law enforcement community" means the heads of the following departments or agencies:

(A) the Federal Bureau of Investigation,

(B) the Drug Enforcement Administration,

(C) the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice,

(D) the Internal Revenue Service,

(E) the Customs Service,

(F) the Immigration and Naturalization Service,

(G) the United States Marshals Service,

(H) the National Park Service,

(I) the United States Postal Service,

(J) the Secret Service,

(K) the Coast Guard,

(L) the National Security Division of the Department of Justice,

(M) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice, and

(N) other Federal agencies with specific statutory authority to investigate violations of Federal criminal laws,

(3) the term "law enforcement emergency" means an uncommon situation which requires law enforcement, which is or threatens to become of serious or epidemic proportions, and with respect to which State and local resources are inadequate to protect the lives and property of citizens or to enforce the criminal law, except that such term does not include—

(A) the perceived need for planning or other activities related to crowd control for general public safety projects, or

(B) a situation requiring the enforcement of laws associated with scheduled public events, including political conventions and sports events, and

(4) the term "State" means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609N, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2104; Pub. L. 107–296, title XI, §1112(o), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2278; Pub. L. 109–177, title V, §506(a)(11), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 248.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this subdivision" probably meaning subtitle B (which probably should have been designated "subdivision" B) of division I of chapter VI of title II of Pub. L. 98–473, which enacted this chapter.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10502 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

2006—Par. (2)(L) to (N). Pub. L. 109–177 added subpar. (L) and redesignated former subpars. (L) and (M) as (M) and (N), respectively.

2002—Par. (2)(L). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice" for "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107–296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Pub. L. 114–125, and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.

For transfer of the functions, personnel, assets, and obligations of the United States Secret Service, including the functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 381, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§50103. Limitation on authority

(a) Federal investigations

Nothing in this chapter authorizes the use of Federal law enforcement personnel to investigate violations of criminal law other than violations with respect to which investigation is authorized by other provisions of law.

(b) Federal supervision

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the Attorney General or the Federal law enforcement community to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over any police force or other criminal justice agency of an applicant for Federal law enforcement assistance.

(c) Racial balance in criminal justice agencies

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the Attorney General or the Federal law enforcement community—

(1) to condition the availability or amount of Federal law enforcement assistance upon the adoption by an applicant for such assistance of, or

(2) to deny or discontinue such assistance upon the failure of such applicant to adopt,

a percentage ratio, quota system, or other program to achieve racial balance in any criminal justice agency of such applicant.

(d) Federal supplantation of State funds

No funds provided under this chapter may be used to supplant State or local funds that would otherwise be made available for such purposes.

(e) Other authorities unaffected

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit any authority to provide emergency assistance otherwise provided by law.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609O, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2105.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10503 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§50104. Prohibition of discrimination

(a) Federally assisted emergency assistance activities

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, be subjected to discrimination under, or be denied employment in connection with any activity for which Federal law enforcement assistance is provided under this chapter.

(b) Provisions of section 10228(c)(3) and (4) of this title applicable to violations

Paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) of section 10228(c) of this title shall apply with respect to a violation of subsection (a), except that the terms "this section" and "paragraph (1)", as such terms appear in such paragraphs, shall be deemed to be references to subsection (a) of this section, and a reference to the Office of Justice Programs in such paragraphs shall be deemed to be a reference to the Attorney General.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609P, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2105.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10504 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§50105. Confidentiality of information

Section 10231 of this title shall apply with respect to—

(1) information furnished under this chapter,

(2) criminal history information collected, stored, or disseminated with the support of Federal law enforcement assistance provided under this chapter, and

(3) criminal intelligence systems operating with the support of Federal law enforcement assistance provided under this chapter,

except that the terms "this chapter" and "this section", as such terms appear in such section 10231 of this title, shall be deemed to be references to this chapter and this section, respectively, and a reference to the Office of Justice Programs in such section 10231 shall be deemed to be a reference to the Attorney General.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609Q, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2105.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10505 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§50106. Prohibition of land acquisition

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

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609R, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2106.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10506 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§50107. Repayment

(a) Violation of conditions; amount

If Federal law enforcement assistance provided under this chapter is used by the recipient of such assistance in violation of section 50104 ¹ of this title or for any purpose other than the purpose for which it is provided, then such recipient shall promptly repay to the Attorney General an amount equal to the value of such assistance.

(b) Civil action

The Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate United States district court to recover any amount required to be repaid under subsection (a).

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609S, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2106.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 50104 of this title, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original a reference to "section 554", and was translated as if it had been a reference to section 609P of Pub. L. 98–473, which is classified to section 50104 of this title to reflect the probable intent of Congress as manifested in earlier versions of Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance provisions introduced in the Congress. Pub. L. 98–473 does not contain a section 554.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10507 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§50108. Recordkeeping requirement

(a) Each recipient of Federal law enforcement assistance provided under this chapter shall keep such records as the Attorney General may prescribe to facilitate an effective audit.

(b) The Attorney General and the Comptroller General of the United States shall have access, for the purpose of audit and examination, to any books, documents, and records of recipients of Federal law enforcement assistance provided under this chapter which, in the opinion of the Attorney General or the Comptroller General, are related to the receipt or use of such assistance.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609T, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2106.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10508 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§50109. Bureau of Justice Assistance

The Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance may assist the Attorney General in providing Federal law enforcement assistance under this chapter and in coordinating the activities authorized under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609V, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2106.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10510 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

Effective Aug. 1, 2000, all functions of Director of Bureau of Justice Assistance, other than those enumerated in section 10142(3) to (6) of this title, transferred to Assistant Attorney General for Office of Justice Programs, see section 1000(a)(1) [title I, §108(b)] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 10141 of this title.

§50110. Limitation on civil justice matters

Federal law enforcement assistance provided under this chapter may not be used with respect to civil justice matters except to the extent that such civil justice matters bear directly and substantially upon criminal justice matters or are inextricably intertwined with criminal justice matters.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609W, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2106.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10511 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§50111. Issuance of rules

The Attorney General, after consultation with appropriate members of the law enforcement community and with State and local officials, shall issue rules to carry out this chapter.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609X, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2107.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10512 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§50112. Authorization of appropriations

(a) Assistance in form of funds

There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each fiscal year ending after September 30, 2022, to provide under this chapter Federal law enforcement assistance in the form of funds.

(b) Assistance other than funds

There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year ending after September 30, 1984, such sums as may be necessary to provide under this chapter Federal law enforcement assistance other than funds.

(Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §609Y, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2107; Pub. L. 114–198, title II, §201(b), July 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 714; Pub. L. 115–401, §3, Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5342.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10513 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–401 substituted "September 30, 2022" for "September 30, 2021".

2016—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–198 substituted "September 30, 2021" for "September 30, 1984".