Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73not60
§1997j Disclaimer Respecting Private Litigation
Title 42 › Chapter 21— CIVIL RIGHTS › Subchapter I–A— INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS › § 1997j
Summary
Protects the right of anyone other than the U.S. government to sue over the rights of institutionalized people. The Attorney General’s investigation or planned lawsuit can’t be used to delay or hurt those private lawsuits.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §1997j
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The provisions of this subchapter shall in no way expand or restrict the authority of parties other than the United States to enforce the legal rights which they may have pursuant to existing law with regard to institutionalized persons. In this regard, the fact that the Attorney General may be conducting an investigation or contemplating litigation pursuant to this subchapter shall not be grounds for delay of or prejudice to any litigation on behalf of parties other than the United States.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 1997j
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60