Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§1437z Exchange of information with law enforcement agencies

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 8— - LOW-INCOME HOUSING › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - GENERAL PROGRAM OF ASSISTED HOUSING › § 1437z

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Even if other laws say otherwise, public housing agencies with federal housing contracts must give a federal, state, or local police officer a tenant’s current address, Social Security number, and photo (if any) when the officer asks. The officer must give the tenant’s name and tell the agency that finding or arresting the person is part of the officer’s job and the request is proper. The officer must also say one of three reasons: the person is fleeing to avoid prosecution or custody for a felony (or a “high misdemeanor” in New Jersey), is breaking probation or parole, or the officer needs the information to do official duties.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §1437z

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each public housing agency that enters into a contract for assistance under section 1437d or 1437f of this title with the Secretary shall furnish any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer, upon the request of the officer, with the current address, Social Security number, and photograph (if applicable) of any recipient of assistance under this chapter, if the officer—

(1)furnishes the public housing agency with the name of the recipient; and

(2)notifies the agency that—

(A)such recipient—

(i)is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, for a crime, or attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, or which, in the case of the State of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor under the laws of such State; or

(ii)is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State law; or

(iii)has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct the officer’s official duties;

(B)the location or apprehension of the recipient is within such officer’s official duties; and

(C)the request is made in the proper exercise of the officer’s official duties.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 1437z

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73