---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 1997h"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "1997h"
heading: "Notice to Federal departments"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/1997h"
units:
  - "Chapter 21 — Civil Rights"
  - "Subchapter I–A — Institutionalized Persons"
---

# §1997h. Notice to Federal departments


At the time of notification of the commencement of an investigation of an [institution](/usc/42/1997.md?p=1) under [section 1997a of this title](/usc/42/1997a.md) or of the notification of an intention to file a motion to intervene under [section 1997c of this title](/usc/42/1997c.md), and if the relevant [institution](/usc/42/1997.md?p=1) receives Federal financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Education, the [Attorney General](/usc/42/14902.md?p=6) shall notify the appropriate [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of the action and the reasons for such action and shall consult with such officials. Following such consultation, the [Attorney General](/usc/42/14902.md?p=6) may proceed with an action under this subchapter if the [Attorney General](/usc/42/14902.md?p=6) is satisfied that such action is consistent with the policies and goals of the executive branch.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–247, § 10, May 23, 1980, 94 Stat. 354; Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101[(a)] [title VIII, § 803(f)], Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321, 1321–73; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a), May 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1327.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–134 substituted “the action” for “his action” and “the Attorney General is satisfied” for “he is satisfied”.