Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§1547 Preservation of Local Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction and Civil Rights
Title 42 › CHAPTER 9 — HOUSING OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE › SUBCHAPTER IV — GENERAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING SUBCHAPTERS II TO VII › § 1547
Summary
When HUD buys real property under these parts of the law, State, Territory, or local governments keep their civil and criminal authority over that land, and people living there keep their state or local civil rights. The word "State" also covers the District of Columbia.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §1547
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the acquisition by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of any real property pursuant to subchapters II to VII of this chapter shall not deprive any State or political subdivision thereof, including any Territory or possession of the United States, of its civil and criminal jurisdiction in and over such property, or impair the civil rights under the State or local law of the inhabitants on such property. As used in this section the term “State” shall include the District of Columbia.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Subchapters III and VI of this chapter, referred to in text, were comprised of sections 1531 to 1536 and 1571 to 1576, respectively, of this title and have been omitted from the Code. For further details, see note set out under section 1522 of this title. Codification Words “including any Territory or possession of the United States” were inserted upon authority of act June 28, 1941, ch. 260, § 4(b), 55 Stat. 363, which provided that when used in this section the term “ ‘State’ includes any Territory or possession of the United States”.
Amendments
1950—Act Apr. 20, 1950, substituted “Housing and Home Finance Administrator” for “National Housing Administrator”. 1942—Act Apr. 10, 1942, inserted last sentence.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For
Transfer of Functions
to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, see note set out under section 1522 of this title.
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Works Administrator relating to defense housing consolidated with other agencies into National Housing Agency during World War II by Ex. Ord. No. 9070.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 1547
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102