
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC3721]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                 CHAPTER 46--JUSTICE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT
 
              SUBCHAPTER II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE
 
Sec. 3721. Statement of purpose

    It is the purpose of this subchapter to establish a National 
Institute of Justice, which shall provide for and encourage research and 
demonstration efforts for the purpose of--
        (1) improving Federal, State, and local criminal justice systems 
    and related aspects of the civil justice system;
        (2) preventing and reducing crimes;
        (3) insuring citizen access to appropriate dispute-resolution 
    forums; and
        (4) identifying programs of proven effectiveness, programs 
    having a record of proven success, or programs which offer a high 
    probability of improving the functioning of the criminal justice 
    system.

The Institute shall have authority to engage in and encourage research 
and development to improve and strengthen the criminal justice system 
and related aspects of the civil justice system and to disseminate the 
results of such efforts to Federal, State, and local governments, to 
evaluate the effectiveness of programs funded under this chapter, to 
develop and demonstrate new or improved approaches and techniques, to 
improve and strengthen the administration of justice, and to identify 
programs or projects carried out under this chapter which have 
demonstrated success in improving the quality of justice systems and 
which offer the likelihood of success if continued or repeated. In 
carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Institute shall give 
primary emphasis to the problems of State and local justice systems and 
shall insure that there is a balance between basic and applied research.

(Pub. L. 90-351, title I, Sec. 201, as added Pub. L. 96-157, Sec. 2, 
Dec. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 1172; amended Pub. L. 98-473, title II, 
Sec. 604(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2078.)


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 3721, Pub. L. 90-351, title I, Sec. 201, June 19, 
1968, 82 Stat. 198; Pub. L. 93-83, Sec. 2, Aug. 6, 1973, 87 Stat. 197; 
Pub. L. 94-503, title I, Sec. 104, Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2408, set out 
Congressional statement of purpose in providing for a program of 
planning grants, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. 
L. 96-157.


                               Amendments

    1984--Pub. L. 98-473 redesignated par. (5) as (4), struck out former 
par. (4) relating to improvement of efforts to detect, investigate, 
prosecute, and otherwise combat and prevent white-collar crime and 
public corruption, and in closing provisions struck out ``to develop 
alternatives to judicial resolution of disputes,'' after ``local 
governments,'', and inserted ``and demonstrate'' after ``to develop''.


                    Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 98-473 effective Oct. 12, 1984, see section 
609AA(a) of Pub. L. 98-473, set out as an Effective Date note under 
section 3711 of this title.


Assessing and Reducing Threat to Law Enforcement Officers From Criminal 
                     Use of Firearms and Ammunition

    Pub. L. 104-132, title VIII, Sec. 809, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 
1311, provided that:
    ``(a) The Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with the 
Attorney General, shall conduct a study and make recommendations 
concerning--
        ``(1) the extent and nature of the deaths and serious injuries, 
    in the line of duty during the last decade, for law enforcement 
    officers, including--
            ``(A) those officers who were feloniously killed or 
        seriously injured and those that died or were seriously injured 
        as a result of accidents or other non-felonious causes;
            ``(B) those officers feloniously killed or seriously injured 
        with firearms, those killed or seriously injured with, 
        separately, handguns firing handgun caliber ammunition, handguns 
        firing rifle caliber ammunition, rifles firing rifle caliber 
        ammunition, rifles firing handgun caliber ammunition and 
        shotguns;
            ``(C) those officers feloniously killed or seriously injured 
        with firearms, and killings or serious injuries committed with 
        firearms taken by officers' assailants from officers, and those 
        committed with other officers' firearms; and
            ``(D) those killed or seriously injured because shots 
        attributable to projectiles defined as `armor piercing 
        ammunition' under section 921(a)(17)(B)(i) and (ii) of title 18, 
        United States Code, pierced the protective material of bullet 
        resistant vests and bullet resistant headgear;
        ``(2) whether current passive defensive strategies, such as body 
    armor, are adequate to counter the criminal use of firearms against 
    law officers; and
        ``(3) the calibers of ammunition that are--
            ``(A) sold in the greatest quantities;
            ``(B) their common uses, according to consultations with 
        industry, sporting organizations and law enforcement;
            ``(C) the calibers commonly used for civilian defensive or 
        sporting uses that would be affected by any prohibition on non-
        law enforcement sales of such ammunition, if such ammunition is 
        capable of penetrating minimum level bullet resistant vests; and
            ``(D) recommendations for increase in body armor 
        capabilities to further protect law enforcement from threat.
    ``(b) In conducting the study, the Secretary shall consult with 
other Federal, State and local officials, non-governmental 
organizations, including all national police organizations, national 
sporting organizations and national industry associations with expertise 
in this area and such other individuals as shall be deemed necessary. 
Such study shall be presented to Congress twelve months after the 
enactment of this Act [Apr. 24, 1996] and made available to the public, 
including any data tapes or data used to form such recommendations.
    ``(c) There are authorized to be appropriated for the study and 
recommendations such sums as may be necessary.''


             National Commission to Support Law Enforcement

    Pub. L. 101-647, title XXXIV, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4918, as 
amended by Pub. L. 103-322, title XXVI, Sec. 260002, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 
Stat. 2089, provided that:
``SEC. 3401. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.
    ``The Congress finds that--
        ``(1) law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect 
    citizens, for modest rewards and too little recognition;
        ``(2) a significant shift has occurred in the problems that law 
    enforcement officers face without a corresponding change in the 
    support from the Federal Government;
        ``(3) law enforcement officers are on the front line in the war 
    against drugs and crime;
        ``(4) the rate of violent crime continues to increase along with 
    the increase in drug use;
        ``(5) a large percentage of individuals arrested test positive 
    for drug usage;
        ``(6) the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the 
    Administration of Justice of 1965 focused attention on many issues 
    affecting law enforcement, and a review 25 years later would help to 
    evaluate current problems, including drug-related crime, violence, 
    racial conflict, and decreased funding; and
        ``(7) a comprehensive study of law enforcement issues, including 
    the role of the Federal Government in supporting law enforcement 
    officers, working conditions, and responsibility for crime control 
    would assist in redefining the relationships between the Federal 
    Government, the public, and law enforcement officials.
``SEC. 3402. ESTABLISHMENT.
    ``There is hereby established the National Commission to Support Law 
Enforcement (hereafter in this title referred to as the `Commission').
``SEC. 3403. DUTIES.
    ``(a) In General.--The Commission shall study and include in the 
report made under section 3407 recommendations for changes regarding law 
enforcement agencies and law enforcement issues on the Federal, State, 
and local levels, including the following:
        ``(1) Funding.--The sufficiency of funding, including a review 
    of grant programs at the Federal level.
        ``(2) Employment.--The conditions of law enforcement employment.
        ``(3) Information.--The effectiveness of information-sharing 
    systems, intelligence, infrastructure, and procedures among law 
    enforcement agencies of Federal, State, and local governments.
        ``(4) Research and training.--The status of law enforcement 
    research and education and training.
        ``(5) Equipment and resources.--The adequacy of equipment, 
    physical resources, and human resources.
        ``(6) Cooperation.--The cooperation among Federal, State, and 
    local law enforcement agencies.
        ``(7) Responsibility.--The responsibility of governments and law 
    enforcement agencies in solving the crime problem.
        ``(8) Impact.--The impact of the criminal justice system, 
    including court schedules and prison overcrowding, on law 
    enforcement.
    ``(b) Consultation.--The Commission shall conduct surveys and 
consult with focus groups of law enforcement officers, local officials, 
and community leaders across the Nation to obtain information and seek 
advice on important law enforcement issues.
``SEC. 3404. MEMBERSHIP.
    ``(a) [Repealed. Pub. L. 103-322, title XXVI, Sec. 260002, Sept. 13, 
1994, 108 Stat. 2089.]
    ``(b) Compensation.--
        ``(1) In general.--Members of the Commission shall receive no 
    additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of service on the 
    Commission.
        ``(2) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall 
    receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
    in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States 
    Code.
``SEC. 3405. EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.
    ``(a) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary 
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code.
    ``(b) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Commission, 
the head of any Federal agency is authorized to detail, on a 
reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that agency to the 
Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under 
this title.
    ``(c) Administrative Support.--The Administrator of General Services 
shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, administrative 
support services as the Commission may request.
``SEC. 3406. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
    ``(a) Hearings.--The Commission may, for purposes of this title, 
hold hearings, sit and act at the times and places, take testimony, and 
receive evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate.
    ``(b) Delegation of Authority.--Any member or agent of the 
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action the 
Commission is authorized to take by this section.
    ``(c) Information.--The Commission may secure directly from any 
Federal agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this 
title. Upon request of the chairperson of the Commission, the head of an 
agency shall furnish the information to the Commission to the extent 
permitted by law.
    ``(d) Gifts and Donations.--The Commission may accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
    ``(e) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies.
``SEC. 3407. REPORT.
    ``Not later than the expiration of the 18-month period beginning on 
the date of the enactment of this title [Nov. 29, 1990], the Commission 
shall submit to the Congress a report containing the findings of the 
Commission and specific proposals for legislation and administrative 
actions that the Commission has determined to be appropriate.
``SEC. 3408. TERMINATION.
    ``The Commission shall cease to exist upon the expiration of the 60-
day period beginning on the date on which the Commission submits its 
report under section 3407.''
    Pub. L. 101-515, title II, Sec. 211(B), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 
2122, as amended by Pub. L. 103-322, title XXVI, Sec. 260001, Sept. 13, 
1994, 108 Stat. 2088; Pub. L. 104-316, title I, Sec. 122(m), Oct. 19, 
1996, 110 Stat. 3838, provided that:
    ``(B)(a) This subsection may be cited as the `National Commission to 
Support Law Enforcement Act'.
    ``(b) The Congress finds that--
        ``(1) law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect 
    citizens, for modest rewards and too little recognition;
        ``(2) a significant shift has occurred in the problems that law 
    enforcement officers face without a corresponding change in the 
    support from the Federal Government;
        ``(3) law enforcement officers are on the front line in the war 
    against drugs and crime;
        ``(4) the rate of violent crime continues to increase along with 
    the increase in drug use;
        ``(5) a large percentage of individuals arrested test positive 
    for drug usage;
        ``(6) the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the 
    Administration of Justice of 1965 focused attention on many issues 
    affecting law enforcement, and a review twenty-five years later 
    would help to evaluate current problems, including drug-related 
    crime, violence, racial conflict, and decrease[d] funding; and
        ``(7) a comprehensive study of law enforcement issues, including 
    the role of the Federal Government in supporting law enforcement 
    officers, working conditions, and responsibility for crime control 
    would assist in redefining the relationships between the Federal 
    Government, the public, and law enforcement officials.
    ``(c) There is established a national commission to be known as the 
`National Commission to Support Law Enforcement' (referred to in this 
section as the `Commission').
    ``(d) The Commission shall study and recommend changes regarding law 
enforcement agencies and law enforcement issues on the Federal, State, 
and local levels, including the following:
        ``(1) The sufficiency of funding, including a review of grant 
    programs at the Federal level.
        ``(2) The conditions of law enforcement employment.
        ``(3) The effectiveness of information-sharing systems, 
    intelligence, infrastructure, and procedures among law enforcement 
    agencies of Federal, State, and local governments.
        ``(4) The status of law enforcement research and education and 
    training.
        ``(5) The adequacy of equipment, physical resources, and human 
    resources.
        ``(6) The cooperation among Federal, State, and local law 
    enforcement agencies.
        ``(7) The responsibility of governments and law enforcement 
    agencies in solving the crime problem.
        ``(8) The impact of the criminal justice system, including court 
    schedules and prison overcrowding, on law enforcement.
    ``(e) The Commission shall conduct surveys and consult with focus 
groups of law enforcement officers, local officials, and community 
leaders across the Nation to obtain information and seek advice on 
important law enforcement issues.
    ``(f) Number and Appointment.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 29 
    members as follows:
            ``(A) Nine individuals appointed from national law 
        enforcement organizations representing law enforcement officers, 
        of whom--
                ``(i) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House 
            of Representatives;
                ``(ii) two shall be appointed by the majority leader of 
            the Senate;
                ``(iii) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
            the House of Representatives;
                ``(iv) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
            the Senate; and
                ``(v) one shall be appointed by the President.
            ``(B) Nine individuals appointed from national law 
        enforcement organizations representing law enforcement 
        management, of whom--
                ``(i) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House 
            of Representatives;
                ``(ii) two shall be appointed by the majority leader of 
            the Senate;
                ``(iii) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
            the House of Representatives;
                ``(iv) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
            the Senate; and
                ``(v) one shall be appointed by the President.
            ``(C) Two individuals appointed with academic expertise 
        regarding law enforcement issues, of whom--
                ``(i) one shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House 
            of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate; 
            and
                ``(ii) one shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
            the Senate and the minority leader of the House of 
            Representatives.
            ``(D) Two Members of the House of Representatives, appointed 
        by the Speaker and the minority leader of the House of 
        Representatives.
            ``(E) Two Members of the Senate, appointed by the majority 
        leader and the minority leader of the Senate.
            ``(F) One individual from the Department of Justice, 
        appointed by the President.
            ``(G) Two individuals representing a State or local 
        governmental entity, such as a Governor, mayor, or State 
        attorney general, to be appointed jointly by the majority leader 
        and the minority leader of the Senate.
            ``(H) Two individuals representing a State or local 
        governmental entity, such as a Governor, mayor, or State 
        attorney general, to be appointed jointly by the Speaker and the 
        minority leader of the House of Representatives.
        ``(2) Comptroller general.--The Comptroller General may serve in 
    an advisory capacity, may oversee the methodology, and may approve 
    of the Commission study.
        ``(3) Chairperson.--Upon their appointment the members of the 
    Commission shall select one of their number to act as chairperson.
        ``(4) Appointment date.--Members of the Commission shall be 
    appointed no later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act 
    [probably means enactment of Pub. L. 103-322, which was approved 
    Sept. 13, 1994].
    ``(g)(1) Members of the Commission shall receive no additional pay, 
allowance, or benefit by reason of service on the Commission.
    ``(2) Each member of the Commission shall receive travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
    ``(h) The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services 
under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
    ``(i) Upon request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency 
is authorized to detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel 
of that agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying 
out its duties under this section.
    ``(j) The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the 
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, administrative support services as 
the Commission may request.
    ``(k) The Commission may, for purposes of this section, hold 
hearings, sit and act at the times and places, take testimony, and 
receive evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate.
    ``(l) Any member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by 
the Commission, take any action the Commission is authorized to take by 
this section.
    ``(m) The Commission may secure directly from any Federal agency 
information necessary to enable it to carry out this section. Upon 
request of the chairperson of the Commission, the head of an agency 
shall furnish the information to the Commission to the extent permitted 
by law.
    ``(n) The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or 
donations of services or property.
    ``(o) The Commission may use the United States mails in the same 
manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies.
    ``(p) Not later than March 31, 1996, the Commission shall submit to 
the Congress a report containing the findings of the Commission and 
specific proposals for legislation and administrative actions that the 
Commission has determined to be appropriate.
    ``(q) The Commission shall cease to exist upon the expiration of the 
sixty-day period beginning on the date on which the Commission submits 
its report under subsection (p).''
