HR 1700 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to enhance the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `COPS Improvements Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. COPS GRANT IMPROVEMENTS.

(a) In General- Section 1701 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(a) Grant Authorization- The Attorney General shall carry out grant programs under which the Attorney General makes grants to States, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, other public and private entities, multi-jurisdictional or regional consortia, and individuals for the purposes described in subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e).';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking the subsection heading text and inserting `Community Policing and Crime Prevention Grants';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (3), by striking `, to increase the number of officers deployed in community-oriented policing';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) award grants to pay for or train officers hired to perform intelligence, anti-terror, or homeland security duties;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) award grants to hire school resource officers and to establish school-based partnerships between local law enforcement agencies and local school systems to combat crime, gangs, drug activities, and other problems in and around elementary and secondary schools;';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) by striking paragraph (9);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (12) as paragraphs (9) through (11), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) by striking paragraph (13);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) by redesignating paragraphs (14) through (17) as paragraphs (12) through (15), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, by striking `and' at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) in paragraph (15), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(16) establish and implement innovative programs to reduce and prevent illegal drug manufacturing, distribution, and use, including the manufacturing, distribution, and use of methamphetamine;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(17) establish criminal gang enforcement task forces, consisting of members of Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities (including Federal, State, and local prosecutors), for the coordinated investigation, disruption, apprehension, and prosecution of criminal gangs and offenders involved in local or multi-jurisdictional gang activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(18) award enhancing community policing and crime prevention grants that meet emerging law enforcement needs, as warranted.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by striking subsection (c);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by striking subsections (h) and (i);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as subsections (f) through (i), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Troops-to-Cops Programs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Grants made under subsection (a) may be used to hire former members of the Armed Forces to serve as career law enforcement officers for deployment in community-oriented policing, particularly in communities that are adversely affected by a recent military base closing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) DEFINITION- In this subsection, `former member of the Armed Forces' means a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Community Prosecutors Program- The Attorney General may make grants under subsection (a) to pay for additional community prosecuting programs, including programs that assign prosecutors to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) handle cases from specific geographic areas; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) address counter-terrorism problems, specific violent crime problems (including intensive illegal gang, gun, and drug enforcement and quality of life initiatives), and localized violent and other crime problems based on needs identified by local law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and others.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Technology Grants- The Attorney General may make grants under subsection (a) to develop and use new technologies (including interoperable communications technologies, modernized criminal record technology, and forensic technology) to assist State and local law enforcement agencies in reorienting the emphasis of their activities from reacting to crime to preventing crime and to train law enforcement officers to use such technologies.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) in subsection (f), as so redesignated--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `to States, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, and to other public and private entities,';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (2), by striking `define for State and local governments, and other public and private entities,' and inserting `establish';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in the first sentence of paragraph (3), by inserting `(including regional community policing institutes)' after `training centers or facilities'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) EXCLUSIVITY- The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services shall be the exclusive component of the Department of Justice to perform the functions and activities specified in this paragraph.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking `may utilize any component', and all that follows and inserting `shall use the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the Department of Justice in carrying out this part.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) in subsection (h), as so redesignated--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `subsection (a)' the first place that term appears and inserting `paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `in each fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a)' and inserting `in each fiscal year for purposes described in paragraph (1) and (2) of subsection (b)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) in subsection (i), as so redesignated--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `the Federal share shall decrease from year to year for up to 5 years' and inserting `unless the Attorney General waives the non-Federal contribution requirement as described in the preceding sentence, the non-Federal share of the costs of hiring or rehiring such officers may be less than 25 percent of such costs for any year during the grant period, provided that the non-Federal share of such costs shall not be less than 25 percent in the aggregate for the entire grant period, but the State or local government should make an effort to increase the non-Federal share of such costs during the grant period'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `The preceding sentences shall not apply with respect to any program, project, or activity provided by a grant made pursuant to subsection (b)(4).'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) Retention of Additional Officer Positions- For any grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) for hiring or rehiring career law enforcement officers, a grant recipient shall retain each additional law enforcement officer position created under that grant for not less than 12 months after the end of the period of that grant, unless the Attorney General waives, wholly or in part, the retention requirement of a program, project, or activity.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Applications- Section 1702 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd-1) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (c)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting `, unless waived by the Attorney General' after `under this part shall'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (8), by striking `share of the cost' and all that follows and inserting `share of the costs during the grant period, how the applicant will maintain the increased hiring level of the law enforcement officers, and how the applicant will eventually assume responsibility for all of the costs for such officers;'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Renewal of Grants- Section 1703 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd-2) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 1703. RENEWAL OF GRANTS.

`(a) In General- Except as provided in subsection (b), a grant made under this part may be renewed, without limitations on the duration of such renewal, to provide additional funds if the Attorney General determines that the funds made available to the recipient were used in a manner required under an approved application and if the recipient can demonstrate significant progress in achieving the objectives of the initial application.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Grants for Hiring- Grants made under this part for hiring or rehiring additional career law enforcement officers may be renewed for up to 5 years, except that the Attorney General may waive such 5-year limitation for good cause.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) No Cost Extensions- Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the Attorney General may extend a grant period, without limitations as to the duration of such extension, to provide additional time to complete the objectives of the initial grant award.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Limitation on Use of Funds- Section 1704 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd-3) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `that would, in the absence of Federal funds received under this part, be made available from State or local sources' and inserting `that the Attorney General determines would, in the absence of Federal funds received under this part, be made available for the purpose of the grant under this part from State or local sources'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to funds made available under this part by a grant made pursuant to subsection (a) for the purposes described in subsection (b)(4).'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Study of Program Effectiveness- Section 1705 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd-4) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Study of Program Effectiveness-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall provide for a scientific study of the effectiveness of the programs, projects, and activities funded under this part in reducing crime.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) STUDY- The Attorney General shall select one or more institutions of higher education, including historically Black colleges and universities, to conduct the study described in paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) REPORTS- Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of the COPS Improvements Act of 2007, the institution or institutions selected under paragraph (2) shall report the findings of the study described in paragraph (1) to the Attorney General. Not later than 30 days after the receipt of such report, the Attorney General shall report such findings to the appropriate committees of Congress, along with any recommendations the Attorney General may have relating to the effectiveness of the programs, projects, and activities funded under this part in reducing crime.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Enforcement Actions- Section 1706 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd-5) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the section heading, by striking `revocation or suspension of funding' and inserting `enforcement actions'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking `revoke or suspend' and all that follows and inserting `take any enforcement action available to the Department of Justice.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Definitions- Section 1709(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd-8(1)) is amended by inserting `who is a sworn law enforcement officer' after `permanent basis'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Authorization of Appropriations- Section 1001(a)(11) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3793(a)(11)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking `1,047,119,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009' and inserting `1,150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subparagraph (B)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the first sentence, by striking `3 percent may be used for technical assistance under section 1701(d)' and inserting `5 percent may be used for technical assistance under section 1701(f)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: `Of the funds available for grants under part Q, not less than $600,000,000 shall be used for grants for the purposes specified in section 1701(b), not more than $200,000,000 shall be used for grants under section 1701(d), and not more than $350,000,000 shall be used for grants under section 1701(e).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Purposes- Section 10002 of the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd note) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (4), by striking `development' and inserting `use'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in the matter following paragraph (4), by striking `for a period of 6 years'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) COPS Program Improvements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 109(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3712h(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking paragraph (1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by inserting `, except for the program under part Q of this title' before the period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS- Section 107 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3712f) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Exception- This section shall not apply to any grant made under part Q of this title.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. REPORT BY INSPECTOR GENERAL REQUIRED.

(a) Report- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice shall submit to Congress a report on the Public Safety and Community Policing (`COPS ON THE BEAT') grant program authorized by part Q of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd et seq.), including the elements described in subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Elements of Report- The report submitted under subsection (a) shall include information on the following, with respect to the grant program described in such subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The effect of the program on the rate of violent crime, drug offenses, and other crimes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The degree to which State and local governments awarded a grant under the program contribute State and local funds, respectively, for law enforcement programs and activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Any waste, fraud, or abuse within the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Random Sampling Required- For purposes of subsection (a), the Inspector General of the Department of Justice shall audit and review a random sampling of State and local law enforcement agencies. Such sampling shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) law enforcement agencies of various sizes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) law enforcement agencies that serve various populations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) law enforcement agencies that serve areas of various crime rates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives May 15, 2007.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.