---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 U.S.C. § 12464"
title: "34"
title_heading: "Crime Control and Law Enforcement"
number: "12464"
heading: "Grants to support families in the justice system"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/34/12464"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — Comprehensive Acts"
  - "Chapter 121 — Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement"
  - "Subchapter III — Violence Against Women"
  - "Part K — Strengthening America’s Families by Preventing Violence Against Women and Children"
---

# §12464. Grants to support families in the justice system

- (a) **In general—** The Attorney General may make grants to [States](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-37), units of local government, [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7) (including juvenile [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7)), [Indian](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-18) [tribal governments](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-43), nonprofit organizations, legal [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) providers, and [victim services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) providers to improve the response of all aspects of the civil and criminal justice system to families with a history of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36), or in cases involving allegations of [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse.
- (b) **Use of funds—** A grant under [this section](/usc/34/50105.md) may be used to—
  - (1) provide supervised visitation and safe visitation exchange of children and [youth](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-52) by and between parents in situations involving [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse, [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36);
  - (2) develop and promote [State](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-37), local, and tribal legislation, policies, and best practices for improving civil and criminal court functions, responses, practices, and procedures in cases involving a history of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12) or [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or in cases involving allegations of [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse, including cases in which the victim proceeds pro se;
  - (3) educate court-based and [court-related personnel](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-6) and court-appointed personnel (including custody evaluators and guardians ad litem) and [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) protective [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) workers on the dynamics of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), and [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36), including information on perpetrator behavior, evidence-based risk factors for domestic and [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11) homicide, and on issues relating to the needs of victims, including safety, security, privacy, and confidentiality, including cases in which the victim proceeds pro se;
  - (4) provide appropriate resources in juvenile court matters to respond to [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35) (including [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse), and [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36) and ensure necessary [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) dealing with the health and mental health of victims are available;
  - (5) enable [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7) or court-based or court-related [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) to develop or enhance—
    - (A) court infrastructure (such as specialized [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7), consolidated [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7), dockets, intake [centers](/usc/34/21502.md?p=1), or interpreter [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51));
    - (B) community-based initiatives within the court system (such as court watch [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2), [victim assistants](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-49), pro se victim assistance [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2), or community-based supplementary [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51));
    - (C) offender management, monitoring, and accountability [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2);
    - (D) safe and confidential information-storage and information-sharing databases within and between court systems;
    - (E) education and outreach [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) to improve community access, including enhanced access for [underserved populations](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-46); and
    - (F) other projects likely to improve court responses to [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), and [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36);
  - (6) provide civil [legal assistance](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-24-A) and advocacy [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51), including legal information and resources in cases in which the victim proceeds pro se, to—
    - (A) victims of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12); and
    - (B) nonoffending parents in matters—
      - (i) that involve allegations of [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse;
      - (ii) that relate to family matters, including civil [protection orders](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-29), custody, and divorce; and
      - (iii) in which the other parent is represented by counsel;
  - (7) collect data and provide training and technical assistance, including developing [State](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-37), local, and tribal model codes and policies, to improve the capacity of grantees and communities to address the civil justice needs of victims of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), and [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36) who have legal representation, who are proceeding pro se, or who are proceeding with the assistance of a legal advocate; and
  - (8) improve training and education to assist judges, judicial personnel, attorneys, [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) welfare personnel, and legal advocates in the civil justice system.
- (c) **Considerations—**
  - (1) **In general—** In making grants for purposes described in [paragraphs (1) through (7)](#b-1..b-7) of subsection (b), the Attorney General shall consider—
    - (A) the number of families to be served by the proposed [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) and [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51);
    - (B) the extent to which the proposed [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) and [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) serve [underserved populations](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-46);
    - (C) the extent to which the applicant demonstrates cooperation and collaboration with nonprofit, nongovernmental entities in the local community with demonstrated histories of effective work on [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36), including [State](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-37) or tribal [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12) coalitions, [State](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-37) or tribal [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35) coalitions, local shelters, and [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) for [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12) and [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35) victims; and
    - (D) the extent to which the applicant demonstrates coordination and collaboration with [State](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-37), tribal, and local court systems, including mechanisms for communication and referral.
  - (2) **Other grants—** In making grants under [subsection (b)(8)](#b-8) the Attorney General shall take into account the extent to which the grantee has expertise addressing the judicial system’s handling of family violence, [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) custody, [child abuse and neglect](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-3), adoption, foster care, supervised visitation, divorce, and parentage.
- (d) **Applicant requirements—** The Attorney General may make a grant under [this section](/usc/34/50105.md) to an applicant that—
  - (1) demonstrates expertise in the areas of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36), or [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse, as appropriate;
  - (2) ensures that any fees charged to individuals for use of supervised visitation [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) and [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) are based on the income of those individuals, unless otherwise provided by court order;
  - (3) for a court-based [program](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2), certifies that victims of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36) are not charged fees or any other costs related to the filing, petitioning, modifying, issuance, registration, enforcement, withdrawal, or dismissal of matters relating to the [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36);
  - (4) demonstrates that adequate security measures, including adequate facilities, procedures, and personnel capable of preventing violence, and adequate standards are, or will be, in place (including the development of protocols or policies to ensure that confidential information is not shared with [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7), [law enforcement](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-23) agencies, or [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) welfare agencies unless necessary to ensure the safety of any [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) or adult using the [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) of a [program](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) funded under [this section](/usc/34/50105.md)), if the applicant proposes to operate supervised visitation [programs](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) and [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) or safe visitation exchange;
  - (5) certifies that the organizational policies of the applicant do not require mediation or counseling involving offenders and victims being physically present in the same place, in cases where [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36) is alleged;
  - (6) certifies that any person providing [legal assistance](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-24-A) through a [program](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) funded under [this section](/usc/34/50105.md) has completed or will complete training on [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), and [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36), including [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse, and related legal issues; and
  - (7) certifies that any person providing custody evaluation or guardian ad litem [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) through a [program](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) funded under [this section](/usc/34/50105.md) has completed or will complete training developed with input from and in collaboration with a tribal, [State](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-37), territorial, or local [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12), [dating violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-11), [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), or [stalking](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-36) [victim service provider](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-50) or coalition on the dynamics of [domestic violence](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-12) and [sexual assault](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-35), including [child](/usc/34/10281.md?p=a-6) sexual abuse, that includes training on how to review evidence of past abuse and the use of evidenced-based theories to make recommendations on custody and visitation.
- (e) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out [this section](/usc/34/50105.md), $22,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available until expended.
- (f) **Allotment for Indian tribes—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not less than 10 percent of the total amount available under [this section](/usc/34/50105.md) for each fiscal year shall be available for grants under the [program](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) authorized by [section 10452 of this title](/usc/34/10452.md).[^1]
  - (2) **Applicability of part[^2]—** The requirements of [this section](/usc/34/50105.md) shall not apply to funds allocated for the [program](/usc/34/60701.md?p=2) described in [paragraph (1)](#f-1).
- (g) **Cultural relevance—** Any [services](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-51) provided pursuant to a grant funded under [this section](/usc/34/50105.md) shall be provided in a culturally relevant manner.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. See References in Text note below.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be “section”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–386, div. B, title III, § 1301, as added Pub. L. 113–4, title I, § 104(a), Mar. 7, 2013, 127 Stat. 73; amended Pub. L. 117–103, div. W, title I, § 104, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 851.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 10452 of this title, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), was in the original “section 3796gg–10 of this title”, and was translated as meaning section 2015 of Pub. L. 90–351, which was classified to section 3796gg–10 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification as section 10452 of this title.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 10420 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Section was enacted as part of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 and also as part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, and not as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which enacted this chapter.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1301 of Pub. L. 106–386, div. B, title III, Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1509; Pub. L. 109–162, § 3(b)(2), title III, § 306, title IX, § 906(d), formerly § 906(e), title XI, § 1135(b), Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 2971, 3016, 3081, 3109, renumbered § 906(d), Pub. L. 109–271, § 7(b)(2)(B), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 109–271, §§ 2(d), 7(d)(2), 8(b), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 752, 766, related to safe havens for children, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–4, title I, § 104(a), Mar. 7, 2013, 127 Stat. 73.

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(1), substituted “improve” for “to improve”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(2), substituted “2023 through 2027” for “2014 through 2018”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(3), added subsec. (g).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2022 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–103 not effective until Oct. 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after Mar. 15, 2022, see section 4(a) of div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, set out as an Effective Date note under section 6851 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

### Effective Date

Section not effective until the beginning of the fiscal year following Mar. 7, 2013, see section 4 of Pub. L. 113–4, set out as an Effective Date of 2013 Amendment note under section 2261 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

### Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 1002 of Pub. L. 106–386, as amended, set out as a note under section 10447 of this title.