PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Attorney General may help state, local, or tribal police and prosecutors with technical, forensic, legal, or other support when they ask for help investigating or prosecuting a crime that is violent, is a felony under local law, and is motivated by bias against someone's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, or that violates local hate-crime laws. The Attorney General must give priority to cases where the offender committed crimes in more than one State and to rural areas that cannot cover large investigation or prosecution costs. The Attorney General may also give grants to cover special costs of investigating or prosecuting hate crimes. The Office of Justice Programs must work with grantees to involve community groups and schools. Agencies must apply during a 60-day window the Attorney General sets and must explain the need, certify they lack the funds, show they consulted nonprofit victim services, and promise Federal funds will supplement—not replace—other funds. The Attorney General must approve or deny applications within 180 business days. Grants cannot exceed $100,000 per jurisdiction in a year. The Attorney General had to report to Congress by December 31, 2011, on applications and awards. Up to $5,000,000 was authorized for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Title 34, §30503

Navy, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Assistance other than financial assistance

(1)In general

At the request of a State, local, or tribal law enforcement agency, the Attorney General may provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other form of assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that—

(A)constitutes a crime of violence;

(B)constitutes a felony under the State, local, or tribal laws; and

(C)is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the State, local, or tribal hate crime laws.

(2)Priority

In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall give priority to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one State and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary expenses relating to the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

(b)Grants

(1)In general

The Attorney General may award grants to State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies for extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

(2)Office of Justice Programs

In implementing the grant program under this subsection, the Office of Justice Programs shall work closely with grantees to ensure that the concerns and needs of all affected parties, including community groups and schools, colleges, and universities, are addressed through the local infrastructure developed under the grants.

(3)Application

(A)In general

Each State, local, and tribal law enforcement agency that desires a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by or containing such information as the Attorney General shall reasonably require.

(B)Date for submission

Applications submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be submitted during the 60-day period beginning on a date that the Attorney General shall prescribe.

(C)Requirements

A State, local, and tribal law enforcement agency applying for a grant under this subsection shall—

(i)describe the extraordinary purposes for which the grant is needed;

(ii)certify that the State, local government, or Indian tribe lacks the resources necessary to investigate or prosecute the hate crime;

(iii)demonstrate that, in developing a plan to implement the grant, the State, local, and tribal law enforcement agency has consulted and coordinated with nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs that have experience in providing services to victims of hate crimes; and

(iv)certify that any Federal funds received under this subsection will be used to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities funded under this subsection.

(4)Deadline

An application for a grant under this subsection shall be approved or denied by the Attorney General not later than 180 business days after the date on which the Attorney General receives the application.

(5)Grant amount

A grant under this subsection shall not exceed $100,000 for any single jurisdiction in any 1-year period.

(6)Report

Not later than December 31, 2011, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report describing the applications submitted for grants under this subsection, the award of such grants, and the purposes for which the grant amounts were expended.

(7)Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 3716 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§30503 Support for Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions by State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Officials

Summary

Title 34, §30503

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Citations & Metadata