PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance can give grants to state and local prosecutors and police to support programs that help juvenile and young adult witnesses. Money can be used to find out what witnesses need, set program goals, and run services. Services can include counseling for trauma, help before and after trials for the youth and their families, school support if a child must change schools for safety, protection when there is a serious threat, and community and school outreach to raise awareness. A juvenile is age 17 or younger. A young adult is age 21 or younger but not a juvenile. "State" includes DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Congress authorized $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.

Title 34, §20143

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(a)In general

The Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Office of Justice Programs may make grants to State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in support of juvenile and young adult witness assistance programs.

(b)Use of funds

Grants made available under this section may be used—

(1)to assess the needs of juvenile and young adult witnesses;

(2)to develop appropriate program goals and objectives; and

(3)to develop and administer a variety of witness assistance services, which includes—

(A)counseling services to young witnesses dealing with trauma associated in witnessing a violent crime;

(B)pre- and post-trial assistance for the youth and their family;

(C)providing education services if the child is removed from or changes their school for safety concerns;

(D)protective services for young witnesses and their families when a serious threat of harm from the perpetrators or their associates is made; and

(E)community outreach and school-based initiatives that stimulate and maintain public awareness and support.

(c)Definitions

In this section: (1)

(2)The term “young adult” means an individual who is age 21 or younger but not a juvenile.

(3)The term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

(d)Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 3743 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–271 substituted “The Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Office of Justice Programs may” for “The Attorney General, acting through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, may”.

§20143 Grants for Young Witness Assistance

Summary

Title 34, §20143

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata