
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC11608a]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
           CHAPTER 121--INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION REMEDIES
 
Sec. 11608a. Office of Children's Issues


(a) Director requirements

    The Secretary of State shall fill the position of Director of the 
Office of Children's Issues of the Department of State (in this section 
referred to as the ``Office'') with an individual of senior rank who can 
ensure long-term continuity in the management and policy matters of the 
Office and has a strong background in consular affairs.

(b) Case officer staffing

    Effective April 1, 2000, there shall be assigned to the Office of 
Children's Issues of the Department of State a sufficient number of case 
officers to ensure that the average caseload for each officer does not 
exceed 75.

(c) Embassy contact

    The Secretary of State shall designate in each United States 
diplomatic mission an employee who shall serve as the point of contact 
for matters relating to international abductions of children by parents. 
The Director of the Office shall regularly inform the designated 
employee of children of United States citizens abducted by parents to 
that country.

(d) Reports to parents

                           (1) In general

        Except as provided in paragraph (2), beginning 6 months after 
    November 29, 1999, and at least once every 6 months thereafter, the 
    Secretary of State shall report to each parent who has requested 
    assistance regarding an abducted child overseas. Each such report 
    shall include information on the current status of the abducted 
    child's case and the efforts by the Department of State to resolve 
    the case.

                            (2) Exception

        The requirement in paragraph (1) shall not apply in a case of an 
    abducted child if--
            (A) the case has been closed and the Secretary of State has 
        reported the reason the case was closed to the parent who 
        requested assistance; or
            (B) the parent seeking assistance requests that such reports 
        not be provided.

(Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(7) [div. A, title II, Sec. 201], 
Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-419).

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg 
Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001, 
and not as part of the International Child Abduction Remedies Act which 
comprises this chapter.
