§21116 ICAC grant program

Summary

The Attorney General can give money to State and local ICAC task forces to help investigate and stop Internet crimes against children. At least 75% of the money for this program must be given out as grants using a formula the Attorney General sets. That formula must make sure every task force gets at least 0.5% of the grant money and must consider things like State population, the number of leads from the ICAC Data Network and CyberTipline, how many related cases are referred for prosecution, how many prosecutions succeed, how much training and public outreach the task force does, and other signs of need. At least 20% of the money must go to supporting the overall ICAC Task Force Program for training, technical help, tools and technology work, research, the national law enforcement training, wellness training, and other program support. State or local task forces must apply to the Attorney General in the way the Attorney General requires and describe what the funds will be used for. Task forces getting support under the 20% program must provide non-Federal matching funds equal to at least 25% of what they receive, unless the Attorney General waives that requirement for good cause or hardship. Grants can pay for staff (investigators, prosecutors, education and forensic specialists), forensic labs, investigations and prosecutions, education for kids and parents, training, and other directly related activities. Each grant recipient must send an annual report with staffing and performance numbers (like investigations started, arrests, prosecutions, child victims identified, referrals to U.S. Attorneys and whether they were accepted, technical assistance sessions, computer forensic exams, and participating agencies). Not later than one year after October 13, 2008, the Attorney General had to report to Congress on program progress and the number of Federal and State investigations, prosecutions, and convictions in the prior 12 months related to child exploitation.