HR 73 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for the collection of data on traffic stops.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 6, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for the collection of data on traffic stops.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 ‘Traffic Stops Along the Border Statistics Study Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. ATTORNEY GENERAL STUDY.

(a) Study-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall conduct a nationwide study of stops for traffic violations by law enforcement officers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INITIAL ANALYSIS- The Attorney General shall perform an initial analysis of existing data, including complaints alleging, and other information concerning, traffic stops motivated by race and other bias.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DATA COLLECTION- After completion of the initial analysis under paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall gather the following data on traffic stops from a nationwide sample of jurisdictions, including jurisdictions identified in the initial analysis:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) The traffic infraction alleged to have been committed that led to the stop.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Identifying characteristics of the driver stopped, including the race, gender, ethnicity, and approximate age of the driver.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Whether immigration status was questioned, immigration documents were requested, or an inquiry was made to the Immigration and Naturalization Service with regard to any individual in the vehicle and whether any individual in the vehicle was turned over to immigration officials.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) The number of stops conducted within 25 miles of the United States border with Mexico compared with the number of stops conducted within 25 miles of the United States border with Canada.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) The number of individuals in the stopped vehicle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) Whether a search was instituted as a result of the stop and whether consent was requested for the search.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) Any alleged criminal behavior by the driver that justified the search.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) Any items seized, including contraband or money.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Whether any warning or citation was issued as a result of the stop.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) Whether an arrest was made as a result of either the stop or the search and the justification for the arrest.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) The duration of the stop.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Reporting-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INITIAL ANALYSIS- Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall report the results of its initial analysis under subsection (a)(2) to Congress and make such report available to the public, and identify the jurisdictions for which the study is to be conducted.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DATA COLLECTION- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall report the results of the data collected under subsection (a)(3) to Congress, a copy of which shall also be published in the Federal Register.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM.

In order to complete the study described in section 2, the Attorney General may provide grants to law enforcement agencies to collect and submit the data described in section 2 to the appropriate agency as designated by the Attorney General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. LIMITATION ON USE OF DATA.

Information released pursuant to section 2 shall not reveal the identity of any individual who is stopped or any law enforcement officer involved in a traffic stop.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. DEFINITION.

For purposes of this Act, the term ‘law enforcement agency’ means an agency of a State or political subdivision of a State, authorized by law or by a Federal, State, or local government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, or investigation of violations of criminal laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink