§9009 Office of Children’s Issues

Summary

The Secretary of State must appoint a senior Director for the Office of Children’s Issues who has strong consular experience and can keep steady leadership over time. Starting April 1, 2000, the Office must have enough case officers so each one has an average caseload of no more than 75. Every U.S. embassy or consulate must name a local contact for parent-child abduction cases, and the Director must regularly tell that contact about U.S. children taken to that country. Beginning 6 months after November 29, 1999, and at least every 6 months after that, the Secretary must report to any parent who asked for help about the status of their child’s case and what the Department is doing. Reports are not required if the case is closed and the parent was told why, or if the parent asks not to get reports.