Part B - Safe Homes for Women

subpart 1 - confidentiality for abused persons

42 USC 13951 - Confidentiality of abused persons address

(a) Regulations 
Not later than 90 days after September 13, 1994, the United States Postal Service shall promulgate regulations to secure the confidentiality of domestic violence shelters and abused persons addresses.
(b) Requirements 
The regulations under subsection (a) of this section shall require
(1) in the case of an individual, the presentation to an appropriate postal official of a valid, outstanding protection order; and
(2) in the case of a domestic violence shelter, the presentation to an appropriate postal authority of proof from a State domestic violence coalition that meets the requirements of section 10410 of this title verifying that the organization is a domestic violence shelter.
(c) Disclosure for certain purposes 
The regulations under subsection (a) of this section shall not prohibit the disclosure of addresses to State or Federal agencies for legitimate law enforcement or other governmental purposes.
(d) Existing compilations 
Compilations of addresses existing at the time at which order is presented to an appropriate postal official shall be excluded from the scope of the regulations under subsection (a) of this section.

subpart 2 - data and research

42 USC 13961 - Research agenda

(a) Request for contract 
The Attorney General shall request the National Academy of Sciences, through its National Research Council, to enter into a contract to develop a research agenda to increase the understanding and control of violence against women, including rape and domestic violence. In furtherance of the contract, the National Academy shall convene a panel of nationally recognized experts on violence against women, in the fields of law, medicine, criminal justice, and direct services to victims and experts on domestic violence in diverse, ethnic, social, and language minority communities and the social sciences. In setting the agenda, the Academy shall focus primarily on preventive, educative, social, and legal strategies, including addressing the needs of underserved populations.
(b) Declination of request 
If the National Academy of Sciences declines to conduct the study and develop a research agenda, it shall recommend a nonprofit">nonprofit private entity that is qualified to conduct such a study. In that case, the Attorney General shall carry out subsection (a) of this section through the nonprofit">nonprofit private entity recommended by the Academy. In either case, whether the study is conducted by the National Academy of Sciences or by the nonprofit">nonprofit group it recommends, the funds for the contract shall be made available from sums appropriated for the conduct of research by the National Institute of Justice.
(c) Report 
The Attorney General shall ensure that no later than 1 year after September 13, 1994, the study required under subsection (a) of this section is completed and a report describing the findings made is submitted to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.

42 USC 13962 - State databases

(a) In general 
The Attorney General shall study and report to the States and to Congress on how the States may collect centralized databases on the incidence of sexual and domestic violence offenses within a State.
(b) Consultation 
In conducting its study, the Attorney General shall consult persons expert in the collection of criminal justice data, State statistical administrators, law enforcement personnel, and nonprofit">nonprofit nongovernmental agencies that provide direct services to victims of domestic violence. The final report shall set forth the views of the persons consulted on the recommendations.
(c) Report 
The Attorney General shall ensure that no later than 1 year after September 13, 1994, the study required under subsection (a) of this section is completed and a report describing the findings made is submitted to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(d) Authorization of appropriations 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for fiscal year 1996.

42 USC 13963 - Number and cost of injuries

(a) Study 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control Injury Control Division, shall conduct a study to obtain a national projection of the incidence of injuries resulting from domestic violence, the cost of injuries to health care facilities, and recommend health care strategies for reducing the incidence and cost of such injuries.
(b) Authorization of appropriations 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section$100,000 for fiscal year 1996.

subpart 3 - rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement

42 USC 13971 - Rural domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and child abuse enforcement assistance

(a) Purposes 
The purposes of this section are
(1) to identify, assess, and appropriately respond to child, youth, and adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in rural communities, by encouraging collaboration among
(A) domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking victim service providers;
(B) law enforcement agencies;
(C) prosecutors;
(D) courts;
(E) other criminal justice service providers;
(F) human and community service providers;
(G) educational institutions; and
(H) health care providers;
(2) to establish and expand nonprofit">nonprofit, nongovernmental, State, tribal, territorial, and local government victim services in rural communities to child, youth, and adult victims; and
(3) to increase the safety and well-being of women and children in rural communities, by
(A) dealing directly and immediately with domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking occurring in rural communities; and
(B) creating and implementing strategies to increase awareness and prevent domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
(b) Grants authorized 
The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (referred to in this section as the Director), may award grants to States, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit">nonprofit, public or private entities, including tribal nonprofit">nonprofit organizations, to carry out programs serving rural areas or rural communities that address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by
(1) implementing, expanding, and establishing cooperative efforts and projects among law enforcement officers, prosecutors, victim advocacy groups, and other related parties to investigate and prosecute incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
(2) providing treatment, counseling, advocacy, and other long- and short-term assistance to adult and minor victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in rural communities, including assistance in immigration matters; and
(3) working in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies directed toward such issues.
(c) Use of funds 
Funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall be used only for specific programs and activities expressly described in subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Allotments and priorities 

(1) Allotment for Indian tribes 

(A) In general 
Not less than 10 percent of the total amount available under this section for each fiscal year shall be available for grants under the program authorized by section 3796gg–10 of this title.
(B) Applicability of part 1 
The requirements of this section shall not apply to funds allocated for the program described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Allotment for sexual assault 

(A) In general 
Not less than 25 percent of the total amount appropriated in a fiscal year under this section shall fund services that meaningfully address sexual assault in rural communities, however at such time as the amounts appropriated reach the amount of $45,000,000, the percentage allocated shall rise to 30 percent of the total amount appropriated, at such time as the amounts appropriated reach the amount of $50,000,000, the percentage allocated shall rise to 35 percent of the total amount appropriated, and at such time as the amounts appropriated reach the amount of $55,000,000, the percentage allocated shall rise to 40 percent of the amounts appropriated.
(B) Multiple purpose applications 
Nothing in this section shall prohibit any applicant from applying for funding to address sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, or dating violence in the same application.
(3) Allotment for technical assistance 
Of the amounts appropriated for each fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than 8 percent may be used by the Director for technical assistance costs. Of the amounts appropriated in this subsection, no less than 25 percent of such amounts shall be available to a nonprofit">nonprofit, nongovernmental organization or organizations whose focus and expertise is in addressing sexual assault to provide technical assistance to sexual assault grantees.
(4) Underserved populations 
In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall give priority to the needs of underserved populations.
(5) Allocation of funds for rural States 
Not less than 75 percent of the total amount made available for each fiscal year to carry out this section shall be allocated to eligible entities located in rural States.
(e) Authorization of appropriations 

(1) In general 
There are authorized to be appropriated $55,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to carry out this section.
(2) Additional funding 
In addition to funds received through a grant under subsection (b) of this section, a law enforcement agency may use funds received through a grant under part Q of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd et seq.) to accomplish the objectives of this section.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “section”.

subpart 3a - research on effective interventions to address violence against women

42 USC 13973 - Research on effective interventions in the health care setting

(a) Purpose 
The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall award grants and contracts to fund research on effective interventions in the health care setting that prevent domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault across the lifespan and that prevent the health effects of such violence and improve the safety and health of individuals who are currently being victimized.
(b) Use of funds 
Research conducted with amounts received under a grant or contract under this section shall include the following:
(1) With respect to the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(A) research on the effects of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and childhood exposure to domestic, dating, or sexual violence, on health behaviors, health conditions, and the health status of individuals, families, and populations;
(B) research and testing of best messages and strategies to mobilize public and health care provider action concerning the prevention of domestic, dating, or sexual violence; and
(C) measure the comparative effectiveness and outcomes of efforts under this Act to reduce violence and increase womens safety.
(2) With respect to the authority of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(A) research on the impact on the health care system, health care utilization, health care costs, and health status of domestic violence, dating violence, and childhood exposure to domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking and childhood exposure; and
(B) research on effective interventions within primary care and emergency health care settings and with health care settings that include clinical partnerships within community domestic violence providers for adults and children exposed to domestic or dating violence.
(c) Use of data 
Research funded under this section shall be utilized by eligible entities under section 280g–41 of this title.
(d) Authorization of appropriations 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
[1] See References in Text note below.

subpart 4 - transitional housing assistance grants for child victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault

42 USC 13975 - Transitional housing assistance grants for child victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault

(a) In general 
The Attorney General, acting in consultation with the Director of the Violence Against Women Office of the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Health and Human Services, shall award grants under this section to States, units of local government, Indian tribes, and other organizations, including domestic violence and sexual assault victim service providers, domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, other nonprofit">nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations, or community-based and culturally specific organizations, that have a documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (referred to in this section as the recipient) to carry out programs to provide assistance to minors, adults, and their dependents
(1) who are homeless, or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance, as a result of fleeing a situation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
(2) for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.
(b) Grants 
Grants awarded under this section may be used for programs that provide
(1) transitional housing, including funding for the operating expenses of newly developed or existing transitional housing.[1]
(2) short-term housing assistance, including rental or utilities payments assistance and assistance with related expenses such as payment of security deposits and other costs incidental to relocation to transitional housing for persons described in subsection (a) of this section; and
(3) support services designed to enable a minor, an adult, or a dependent of such minor or adult, who is fleeing a situation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to
(A) locate and secure permanent housing; and
(B) integrate into a community by providing that minor, adult, or dependent with services, such as transportation, counseling, child care services, case management, employment counseling, and other assistance. Participation in the support services shall be voluntary. Receipt of the benefits of the housing assistance described in paragraph (2) shall not be conditioned upon the participation of the youth, adults, or their dependents in any or all of the support services offered them.
(c) Duration 

(1) In general 
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a minor, an adult, or a dependent, who receives assistance under this section shall receive that assistance for not more than 24 months.
(2) Waiver 
The recipient of a grant under this section may waive the restriction under paragraph (1) for not more than an additional 6 month period with respect to any minor, adult, or dependent, who
(A) has made a good-faith effort to acquire permanent housing; and
(B) has been unable to acquire permanent housing.
(d) Application 

(1) In general 
Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(2) Contents 
Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall
(A) describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought;
(B) provide assurances that any supportive services offered to participants in programs developed under subsection (b)(3) of this section are voluntary and that refusal to receive such services shall not be grounds for termination from the program or eviction from the victims housing; and
(C) provide such additional assurances as the Attorney General determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.
(3) Application 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require
(A) victims to participate in the criminal justice system in order to receive services; or
(B) domestic violence advocates to breach client confidentiality.
(e) Report to the Attorney General 

(1) In general 
A recipient of a grant under this section shall annually prepare and submit to the Attorney General a report describing
(A) the number of minors, adults, and dependents assisted under this section; and
(B) the types of housing assistance and support services provided under this section.
(2) Contents 
Each report prepared and submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include information regarding
(A) the purpose and amount of housing assistance provided to each minor, adult, or dependent, assisted under this section and the reason for that assistance;
(B) the number of months each minor, adult, or dependent, received assistance under this section;
(C) the number of minors, adults, and dependents who
(i) were eligible to receive assistance under this section; and
(ii) were not provided with assistance under this section solely due to a lack of available housing;
(D) the type of support services provided to each minor, adult, or dependent, assisted under this section; and
(E) the client population served and the number of individuals requesting services that the transitional housing program is unable to serve as a result of a lack of resources.
(f) Report to Congress 

(1) Reporting requirement 
The Attorney General, with the Director of the Violence Against Women Office, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report that contains a compilation of the information contained in the report submitted under subsection (e) of this section not later than 1 month after the end of each even-numbered fiscal year.
(2) Availability of report 
In order to coordinate efforts to assist the victims of domestic violence, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Director of the Violence Against Women Office, shall transmit a copy of the report submitted under paragraph (1) to
(A) the Office of Community Planning and Development at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
(B) the Office of Womens Health at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(g) Authorization of appropriations 

(1) In general 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
(2) Limitations 
Of the amount made available to carry out this section in any fiscal year, up to 5 percent may be used by the Attorney General for evaluation, monitoring, technical assistance, salaries and administrative expenses.
(3) Minimum amount 

(A) In general 
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), unless all eligible applications submitted by any States, units of local government, Indian tribes, or organizations within a State for a grant under this section have been funded, that State, together with the grantees within the State (other than Indian tribes), shall be allocated in each fiscal year, not less than 0.75 percent of the total amount appropriated in the fiscal year for grants pursuant to this section.
(B) Exception 
The United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands shall each be allocated not less than 0.25 percent of the total amount appropriated in the fiscal year for grants pursuant to this section.
(C) Underserved populations 

(i) Indian tribes.— 

(I) In general.— 
Not less than 10 percent of the total amount available under this section for each fiscal year shall be available for grants under the program authorized by section 3796gg–10 of this title.
(II) Applicability of part.— 
[2]The requirements of this section shall not apply to funds allocated for the program described in subclause (I).
(ii) Priority shall be given to projects developed under subsection (b) of this section that primarily serve underserved populations.
[1] So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “section”.