Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§1997g Priorities for Use of Funds
Title 42 › CHAPTER 21 — CIVIL RIGHTS › SUBCHAPTER I–A — INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS › § 1997g
Summary
Congress wants institutions that deny constitutional or legal rights fixed by lawsuits and by federal, state, and local agencies in good faith. Federal funds should be used first to correct those illegal or unconstitutional conditions; funds need not shift between programs or States.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §1997g
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
It is the intent of Congress that deplorable conditions in institutions covered by this subchapter amounting to deprivations of rights protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States be corrected, not only by litigation as contemplated in this subchapter, but also by the voluntary good faith efforts of agencies of Federal, State, and local governments. It is the further intention of Congress that where Federal funds are available for use in improving such institutions, priority should be given to the correction or elimination of such unconstitutional or illegal conditions which may exist. It is not the intent of this provision to require the redirection of funds from one program to another or from one State to another.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 1997g
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102