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Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime [August 22, 2012]
"In 1984, the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA, P.L. 98-473) to provide funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs. Since 1984, VOCA has been amended several times to support additional victim-related activities. These amendments established within the CVF (1) discretionary grants for private organizations, (2) the Federal Victim Notification System, (3) funding for victim assistance staff within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, (4) funding for the Children's Justice Act Program, and (5) assistance and compensation for victims of terrorism. […] In considering the CVF allocation and future caps, there are several issues on which policymakers may deliberate. Congress may consider whether to adjust the manner in which the CVF is allocated, amend VOCA to accommodate additional victim activities or groups, adjust the cap and allow use of the CVF for grant programs other than those explicitly authorized by VOCA, or make other adjustments to the CVF cap--such as eliminate the cap altogether."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2012-08-22
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Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress [October 28, 2011]
"Synthetic drugs, as opposed to natural drugs, are chemically produced in a laboratory. Their chemical structure can be either identical to or different from naturally occurring drugs, and their effects are designed to mimic or even enhance those of natural drugs. When produced clandestinely, they are not typically controlled pharmaceutical substances intended for legitimate medical use. Designer drugs are a form of synthetic drugs. They contain slightly modified molecular structures of illegal or controlled substances, and they are modified in order to circumvent existing drug laws. While the issue of synthetic drugs and their abuse is not new, the 112th Congress has demonstrated a renewed concern with the issue. Synthetic drug abuse is reported to have dramatically increased between 2009 and 2011. Calls to poison control centers for incidents relating to harmful effects of synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants have increased at what some consider to be an alarming rate. […] Policymakers may consider the implications on the federal criminal justice system of scheduling certain synthetic substances. Another issue up for debate is whether Congress should schedule certain synthetic substances or whether these substances merit Attorney General (in consultation with the Secretary of HHS) scheduling based on qualifications specified in the CSA. Congress may also consider whether or not placing these synthetic drugs on Schedule I would hinder future medical research. In addition, Congress may consider whether it is more efficient to place these drugs on Schedule I of the CSA or to label them as analogue controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Analogue Enforcement Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2011-10-28
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Violence Against Women Act: Overview, Legislation, and Federal Funding [February 19, 2013]
"In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA, P.L. [Public Law] 103-322). The act was intended to change attitudes toward domestic violence, foster awareness of domestic violence, improve services and provisions for victims, and revise the manner in which the criminal justice system responds to domestic violence and sex crimes. The legislation created new programs within the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services that aimed to reduce domestic violence and improve response to and recovery from domestic violence incidents. VAWA primarily addresses certain types of violent crime through grant programs to state, tribal, and local governments; nonprofit organizations; and universities. VAWA programs target the crimes of intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2013-02-19
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State Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: Implications for Federal Law Enforcement [July 25, 2013]
"Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug across the globe, including in the United States. In 2011, an estimated 18.1 million individuals in the United States aged 12 or older (7% of this population) were current (past month) users of marijuana. The rate of reported marijuana use in 2011 was significantly higher than those rates reported prior to 2009. Consistent with this increase in use, the past decade has seen a decline in youth perceptions of risk tied to smoking marijuana once a month or even more frequently, such as 1-2 times per week. Youth also perceive that obtaining marijuana--if they desire it--is relatively easy. Indeed, marijuana availability in the United States has increased, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center. This increase has been linked to factors such as rising marijuana production in Mexico, decreasing marijuana eradication in Mexico, and increasing marijuana cultivation in the United States led by criminal networks including Mexican drug trafficking organizations. The uptick in availability and use of marijuana in the United States is coupled with a general shift in public attitudes toward the substance. In 1969, 12% of the surveyed population supported legalizing marijuana; today, more than half (52%) of surveyed adults feel that marijuana should be legalized. In addition, 60% indicate that the federal government should not enforce federal laws prohibiting marijuana use in those states that allow for its use."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin M.; Sacco, Lisa N.
2013-07-25
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Violence Against Women Act: Overview, Legislation, and Federal Funding [March 6, 2014]
"The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been of ongoing interest to Congress since its enactment in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). The original act was intended to change attitudes toward domestic violence, foster awareness of domestic violence, improve services and provisions for victims, and revise the manner in which the criminal justice system responds to domestic violence and sex crimes. The legislation created new programs within the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) that aimed to reduce domestic violence and improve response to and recovery from domestic violence incidents. VAWA primarily addresses certain types of violent crime through grant programs to state, tribal, and local governments; nonprofit organizations; and universities. VAWA programs target the crimes of intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. […] In February 2013, Congress passed legislation (Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013; P.L. 113-4) that reauthorized most of the programs under VAWA, among other things. The VAWA reauthorization also amended and authorized appropriations for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, enhanced measures to combat trafficking in persons, and amended some VAWA grant purpose areas to include sex trafficking. Moreover, VAWA 2013 gave Indian tribes authority to enforce domestic violence laws and related crimes against non-Indian individuals, and established a nondiscrimination provision for VAWA grant programs. The reauthorization also included new provisions to address the rape kit backlog in states. A description of the reauthorization is provided in this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2014-03-06
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Drug Enforcement in the United States: History, Policy, and Trends [October 2, 2014]
"The federal government prohibits the manufacturing, distribution, and possession of many intoxicating substances that are solely intended for recreational use (notable exceptions are alcohol and tobacco); however, the federal government also allows for and controls the medical use of many intoxicants. Federal authority to control these substances primarily resides with the Attorney General of the United States. Over the last decade, the United States has shifted its stated drug control policy toward a comprehensive approach; one that focuses on prevention, treatment, and enforcement. In order to restrict and reduce availability of illicit drugs in the United States, a practice referred to as 'supply reduction,' the federal government continues to place emphasis on domestic drug enforcement. According to the most recent drug control budget (FY2015) released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), approximately 60% of all federal drug control spending is dedicated to supply reduction, with approximately 37% of the total budget dedicated to domestic law enforcement. Federal agencies, primarily the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), enforce federal controlled substances laws in all states and territories, but the majority of drug crimes known to U.S. law enforcement are dealt with at the state level. In the United States in 2012, the DEA arrested 30,476 suspects for federal drug offenses while state and local law enforcement arrested 1,328,457 suspects for drug offenses. In many cases, federal agencies assist state and local agencies with drug arrests, and suspects are referred for state prosecution, and vice-versa."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2014-10-02
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Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress [August 15, 2014]
"Synthetic drugs, as opposed to natural drugs, are chemically produced in a laboratory. Their chemical structure can be either identical to or different from naturally occurring drugs, and their effects are designed to mimic or even enhance those of natural drugs. When produced clandestinely, they are not typically controlled pharmaceutical substances intended for legitimate medical use. Designer drugs are a form of synthetic drugs. They contain slightly modified molecular structures of illegal or controlled substances, and they are modified in order to circumvent existing drug laws. While the issue of synthetic drugs and their abuse is not new, Congress has demonstrated a renewed concern with the issue. From 2009 to 2011, synthetic drug abuse was reported to have dramatically increased. During this time period, calls to poison control centers for incidents relating to harmful effects of synthetic cannabinoids (such as 'K2' and 'Spice') and stimulants (such as 'bath salts') increased at what some considered to be an alarming rate. The number of hospital emergency department visits involving synthetic cannabinoids more than doubled from 2010 to 2011. In 2012 and 2013, however, the number of calls to poison control centers for incidents relating to harmful effects of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants decreased. The 'Monitoring the Future' (MTF) survey results from 2012 indicate that annual prevalence rates for use of 'bath salts' among college students and adults ages 18-50 was 'very low.' In contrast, MTF reports that, among 12th graders, synthetic marijuana is the 'second most widely used class of illicit drug after marijuana.' Media reports indicate that a synthetic substance known as 'molly,' a psychoactive drug that may be similar or identical to MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), appears to be gaining popularity among youth. In the summers of 2013 and 2014, several deaths and drug overdoses have been attributed to molly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2014-08-15
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Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress [September 16, 2013]
"Synthetic drugs, as opposed to natural drugs, are chemically produced in a laboratory. Their chemical structure can be either identical to or different from naturally occurring drugs, and their effects are designed to mimic or even enhance those of natural drugs. When produced clandestinely, they are not typically controlled pharmaceutical substances intended for legitimate medical use. Designer drugs are a form of synthetic drugs. They contain slightly modified molecular structures of illegal or controlled substances, and they are modified in order to circumvent existing drug laws. While the issue of synthetic drugs and their abuse is not new, Congress has demonstrated a renewed concern with the issue. From 2009 to 2011, synthetic drug abuse was reported to have dramatically increased. During this time period, calls to poison control centers for incidents relating to harmful effects of synthetic cannabinoids (such as 'K2' and 'Spice') and stimulants (such as 'bath salts') increased at what some considered to be an alarming rate. The number of hospital emergency department visits involving synthetic cannabinoids more than doubled from 2010 to 2011. In 2012, however, the number of calls to poison control centers for incidents relating to harmful effects of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants decreased. The Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey results from 2012 indicate that annual prevalence rates for use of 'bath salts' among college students and adults ages 18-50 was 'very low.' In contrast, MTF reports that, among 12th graders, synthetic marijuana is the 'second most widely used class of illicit drug after marijuana.' Media reports indicate that a synthetic substance known as 'molly,' a psychoactive drug that may be similar or identical to MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), appears to be gaining popularity among youth. In the summer of 2013, several deaths and drug overdoses have been attributed to molly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2013-09-16
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State Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: Implications for Federal Law Enforcement [September 9, 2013]
"Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug across the world, including in the United States. In 2012, an estimated 18.9 million individuals in the United States aged 12 or older (7.3% of this population) had used marijuana in the past month. The rate of reported marijuana use in 2012 was significantly higher than those rates reported prior to 2007. Mirroring this increase in use, marijuana availability in the United States has also increased. This growth has been linked to factors such as rising marijuana production in Mexico, decreasing marijuana eradication in Mexico, and increasing marijuana cultivation in the United States led by criminal networks including Mexican drug trafficking organizations. Along with the uptick in the availability and use of marijuana in the United States, there has been a general shift in public attitudes toward the substance. In 1969, 12% of the surveyed population supported legalizing marijuana; today, more than half (52%) of surveyed adults have expressed opinions that marijuana should be legalized. And, 60% indicate that the federal government should not enforce its marijuana laws in states that allow the use of marijuana."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2013-09-09
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation [February 3, 2014]
"The causes of homelessness and determining how best to assist those who find themselves homeless became particularly prominent, visible issues in the 1980s. The concept of homelessness may seem like a straightforward one, with individuals and families who have no place to live falling within the definition. However, the extent of homelessness in this country and how best to address it depend upon how one defines the condition of being homeless. There is no single federal definition of homelessness, although a number of programs, including those overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Labor (DOL) use the definition enacted as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. [Public Law] 100-77). The McKinney-Vento Act definition of a homeless individual was broadened as part of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-22). Previously, a homeless individual was defined as a person who lacks a fixed nighttime residence and whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, a facility accommodating persons intended to be institutionalized, or a place not intended to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. The law expanded the definition to include those defined as homeless under other federal programs, in certain circumstances, as well as those who will imminently lose housing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; McCarthy, Francis X.; McCallion, Gail . . .
2014-02-03
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Violence Against Women Act: Overview, Legislation, and Federal Funding [May 26, 2015]
"The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been of ongoing interest to Congress since its enactment in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). The original act was intended to change attitudes toward domestic violence, foster awareness of domestic violence, improve services and provisions for victims, and revise the manner in which the criminal justice system responds to domestic violence and sex crimes. The legislation created new programs within the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) that aimed to reduce domestic violence and improve response to and recovery from domestic violence incidents. VAWA primarily addresses certain types of violent crime through grant programs to state, tribal, and local governments; nonprofit organizations; and universities. VAWA programs target the crimes of intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In 1995, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) was created administratively within DOJ to administer federal grants authorized under VAWA. In 2002, Congress codified the OVW as a separate office within DOJ. Since its creation, the OVW has awarded more than $6 billion in grants. While the OVW administers the majority of VAWA authorized grants, other federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (in HHS) and the Office of Justice Programs (in DOJ), also manage VAWA grants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2015-05-26
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation [May 6, 2015]
"There is no single federal definition of homelessness, although a number of programs, including those overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Labor (DOL) use the definition enacted as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100-77). The McKinney-Vento Act definition of a homeless individual was broadened as part of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-22). Previously, a homeless individual was defined as a person who lacks a fixed nighttime residence and whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, a facility accommodating persons intended to be institutionalized, or a place not intended to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. The law expanded the definition to include those defined as homeless under other federal programs, in certain circumstances, as well as those who will imminently lose housing. A number of federal programs in seven different agencies, many originally authorized by the McKinney-Vento Act, serve homeless persons. These include the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program administered by the Department of Education (ED) and the Emergency Food and Shelter program, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program run by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers multiple programs that serve homeless individuals, including Health Care for the Homeless, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness, and the Runaway and Homeless Youth program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; McCarthy, Francis X.; McCallion, Gail . . .
2015-05-06
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Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime [June 30, 2015]
"In 1984, the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA, P.L. 98-473) to provide funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs. Since 1984, VOCA has been amended several times to support additional victim-related activities. These amendments established within the CVF (1) discretionary grants for private organizations, (2) the Federal Victim Notification System, (3) funding for victim assistance staff within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, (4) funding for the Children's Justice Act Program, and (5) assistance and compensation for victims of terrorism. In 1988, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was formally established within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to administer the CVF. As authorized by VOCA, the OVC awards CVF money through grants to states, local units of government, individuals, and other entities. The OVC also distributes CVF money to specially designated programs, such as the Children's Justice Act Program and the Federal Victim Notification System. Deposits to the CVF come from criminal fines, forfeited appearance bonds, penalties and special assessments collected by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, federal courts, and Federal Bureau of Prisons. Since 2002, Congress has allowed gifts, bequests, and donations from private entities to be deposited into the CVF."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2015-06-30
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South Carolina Church Shooting and Hate Crime in the United States [June 18, 2015]
"On June 17, 2015, a lone gunman shot and killed nine individuals in a predominantly black church in Charleston, South Carolina. The suspect in police custody, Dylann Roof, is white, while the nine deceased victims are black. The U.S. Department of Justice announced it is initiating a hate crime investigation. […] As part of its Hate Crime Statistics Program, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collects data on 'criminal offenses that were motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, gender, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and were committed against persons, property, or society.' In 2013, law enforcement agencies reported to the FBI that 3,407 'single-bias hate crime offenses were racially motivated.' Of these incidents, 66.4% were motivated by anti-black or anti-African American bias."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2015-06-18
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Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime [October 27, 2015]
From the Introduction: "In 1984, the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA, P.L. 98-473) to provide funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs. Since 1984, VOCA has been amended several times to support additional victim-related activities. These amendments established within the CVF [1] discretionary grants for private organizations; [2] the Federal Victim Notification System; [3] funding for victim assistance staff in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA); [4] funding for the Children's Justice Act Program; and [5] assistance and compensation for victims of terrorism. In 1988, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was formally established within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to administer the CVF. As authorized by VOCA, the OVC awards CVF money through formula and discretionary grants to states, local units of government, individuals, and other entities. The OVC also distributes CVF money to specially designated programs, such as the Children's Justice Act Program and the Federal Victim Notification System. […] This report provides background and funding information for VOCA programs and the CVF. It describes the process through which CVF funds are allocated and explains how the CVF impacts the annual budget for DOJ [U.S. Department of Justice]. It then provides an analysis of selected issues that Congress may consider regarding the CVF and the federal budget."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2015-10-27
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State Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: Implications for Federal Law Enforcement [December 4, 2014]
"Over the last few decades, some states have deviated from an across-the-board prohibition of marijuana. Evolving state-level positions on marijuana include decriminalization initiatives, legal exceptions for medical use, and legalization of certain quantities for recreational use. Notably, in the November 2012 elections, voters in Washington State and Colorado voted to legalize, regulate, and tax the recreational use of small amounts of marijuana. In the November 2014 elections, legalization initiatives passed in Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia, further spreading the discrepancy between federal and state marijuana laws in the United States. These latest moves have spurred a number of questions regarding their potential implications for related federal law enforcement activities and for the nation's drug policies on the whole. Among these questions is whether or to what extent state initiatives to decriminalize or legalize the use of marijuana conflict with federal law. In general, federal law enforcement has tailored its efforts to target criminal networks rather than individual criminals; its stance regarding marijuana offenders appears consistent with this position. While drug-related investigations and prosecutions remain a priority for federal law enforcement, the Obama Administration has suggested that efforts will be harnessed against large-scale trafficking organizations rather than on recreational users of marijuana. […] Given the differences between federal marijuana policies and those of states that have authorized use of marijuana in some capacity, Congress may choose to address state legalization initiatives in a number of ways, or choose to take no action. Among the host of options, policymakers may choose to amend or affirm federal marijuana policy, exercise oversight over federal law enforcement activities, or incentivize state policies through the provision or denial of certain funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2014-12-04
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Backlog of Sexual Assault Evidence: In Brief [October 19, 2015]
"Sexual assault kits (SAKs, also referred to as 'rape kits') are used by medical professionals to collect evidence during a forensic medical exam of a sexual assault victim in order to establish elements of a crime. Generally, upon completion of the medical exam the kit is transferred to an authorized law enforcement agency that logs the kit into evidence. Procedure and protocol regarding when and where kits are sent, however, vary across jurisdictions. Some law enforcement agencies automatically send the kits to forensic laboratories for testing while others wait for varying amounts of time; in some cases depending on when/if a police officer or prosecutor requests forensic analysis of the kits. Evidence from these kits may help identify, convict, or exonerate an offender. Evidence may also be stored in DNA [deoxi-ribose nucleic acid] databases for use in other cases. […] The backlog of SAKs has raised concerns over justice for assault victims and that evidence in untested kits could be used to prevent suspects from victimizing others. SAKs may remain untested for reasons such as limited resources of laboratories and law enforcement and police discretion. Police may opt not to pursue a forensic investigation for a variety of reasons including perception of victim cooperation or a decision that the results of the kit would not be pertinent to the overall investigation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; James, Nathan
2015-10-19
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Active Opioid Legislation in the House: In Brief [May 13, 2016]
"The House voted on more than a dozen bills related to heroin and prescription opioid abuse during the week of May 9, leading some to dub this week 'Opioid Week' in the House. This report briefly summarizes opioid-related bills that were considered during 'Opioid Week.' The brief summaries in this report may be useful illustrations of the range of approaches Members of Congress have proposed to address the problem of opioid addiction. This report includes information about Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimates, where available. In some cases, the CBO cost estimate is based on the bill 'as ordered to be reported'. The full text of each bill as introduced is available on Congress.gov. When a bill is reported (as amended), the new version is also available on Congress.gov. There is, however, a period between a committee's ordering a bill to be reported and reporting the bill. Thus CBO estimates may be based on a version of a bill that is not available on Congress.gov. Similarly, bills may have been amended following publication of the CBO cost estimates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bagalman, Erin; Sacco, Lisa N.; Rosen, Liana W.
2016-05-13
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Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (S. 524): Comparison of Senate- and House-Passed Versions [May 23, 2016]
From the Congressional Research Service report, "The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA; S. 524) aims to address the problem of opioid addiction in the United States. It passed the Senate (S. 524 ES) on March 10, 2016, and it passed the House with an amendment in the nature of a substitute (S. 524 EAH) on May 13, 2016. The two versions of the bill differ substantially. The scope of the differences may be illustrated by their structures: The Senate bill has 28 sections organized in 8 titles, whereas the House bill has 69 sections organized in 18 titles. This report discusses selected differences and similarities between the Senate-and House-passed versions of S. 524. Both bills include provisions that would authorize new activities, provisions that would reauthorize and amend existing activities, and provisions that would codify activities already taking place. Few provisions, however, are directly comparable across the two bills. The bills include two parallel provisions, which share the same headings and would require or authorize similar activities: (1) Pain Management Best Practices Interagency Task Force and (2) Grants for Treatment of Pregnant and Postpartum Women. More often, the two bills include provisions addressing the same theme in different ways. Common themes include comprehensive opioid abuse grants, accountability of grantees, veterans, criminal justice provisions, and access to naloxone to reverse opioid overdose. Each bill also includes provisions for which the other bill has no comparable provisions; see Appendix A for a summary of the Senate bill and Appendix B for a summary of the House bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bagalman, Erin; Sacco, Lisa N.
2016-05-23
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Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress [May 3, 2016]
"Synthetic drugs, as opposed to natural drugs, are chemically produced in a laboratory. Their chemical structure can be either identical to or different from naturally occurring drugs, and their effects are designed to mimic or even enhance those of natural drugs. When produced clandestinely, they are not typically controlled pharmaceutical substances intended for legitimate medical use. Designer drugs are a form of synthetic drugs. They contain slightly modified molecular structures of illegal or controlled substances, and they are modified in order to circumvent existing drug laws. While the issue of synthetic drugs and their abuse is not new, Congress has demonstrated a renewed concern with the issue. From 2009 to 2011, synthetic drug abuse was reported to have dramatically increased. During this time period, calls to poison control centers for incidents relating to harmful effects of synthetic cannabinoids (such as 'K2' and 'Spice') and stimulants (such as 'bath salts') increased at what some considered to be an alarming rate. The number of hospital emergency department visits involving synthetic cannabinoids more than doubled from 2010 to 2011. In 2012 and 2013, however, the number of calls to poison control centers for incidents relating to harmful effects of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants decreased. Calls regarding bath salts have declined each year since 2011, while calls regarding synthetic cannabinoids have increased since the drops in 2012 and 2013. The 'Monitoring the Future' (MTF) survey results from 2015 indicate that annual prevalence rates for use of synthetic cannabinoids are down over the last two years while bath salt use remained low. Government and media reports indicate that fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50-100 times stronger than morphine, is rising in popularity as well as various synthetic cannabinoids."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2016-05-03
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Active Opioid Legislation in the House: In Brief [May 12, 2016]
"The House is scheduled to vote on a dozen or more bills related to heroin and prescription opioid abuse during the week of May 9, leading some to dub this week 'Opioid Week' in the House. This report briefly summarizes opioid-related bills that are scheduled for consideration during 'Opioid Week.' The brief summaries in this report may be useful illustrations of the range of approaches Members of Congress have proposed to address the problem of opioid addiction."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bagalman, Erin; Sacco, Lisa N.; Rosen, Liana W.
2016-05-12
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Federal Assistance for Victims of Terrorism or Mass Violence: In Brief [August 3, 2016]
"Following incidents of terrorism or mass violence in the United States, jurisdictions and individuals may be eligible to receive various types of victim assistance both directly from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and indirectly from DOJ through their respective state victim assistance agencies or other programs. While circumstances in some terrorism or mass violence incidents may make a jurisdiction or organization eligible for assistance from other federal departments, this report focuses solely on assistance available from DOJ's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). As authorized by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the OVC supports several federal programs that may assist victims of terrorism or mass violence. The OVC awards funds through formula and discretionary grants to states, local units of government, individuals, and other entities with the primary purpose of assisting victims. These programs are funded by the Crime Victims Fund (CVF)-an account within the U.S. Treasury that is not funded through traditional appropriations but largely through the collection of federal criminal fines. The Director of the OVC is authorized to set aside $50 million of CVF money in the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which funds OVC administered programs that support victims of terrorism or mass violence. This report examines CVF-funded assistance for victims of terrorism or mass violence. It includes discussion of programs that broadly cover crime victim assistance and programs that are specifically designed to address terrorism or mass violence. It also includes a discussion of how these programs have assisted victims of various incidents of terrorism or mass violence over the last several years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2016-08-03
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DEA Scheduling Actions on Kratom [October 13, 2016]
"On August 30, 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced its intent to temporarily place into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) the 'active materials' in the kratom plant. The DEA's notice of intent initiated an expedited temporary scheduling action and provided the 30-day notice required by 21 U.S.C. §811(h) of the CSA. However, on October 12, in response to public concern over the scheduling action and the public request for the DEA to consider public comments, the DEA withdrew its notice of intent to temporarily place kratom into Schedule I. The DEA is soliciting public comments until December 1, 2016. Additionally, the DEA has requested that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expedite its scientific and medical evaluation and scheduling recommendation for kratom. [...] Kratom is a plant indigenous to parts of Southeast Asia; its leaves contain opioid compounds that produce psychoactive effects when ingested. Some people consume kratom leaves for purported medicinal purposes including self-treatment for pain or opioid withdrawal. [...] Arguably, the safety and health benefits of kratom have not been scientifically confirmed. [...] Placement on Schedule I would change the availability of kratom. It would no longer be legally available for consumption, and its lawful use would be restricted to highly regulated research. The DEA is proceeding with scheduling consideration, but not emergency scheduling. It may schedule kratom on Schedules I-V or decide not to schedule the substance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2016-10-13
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Federal Involvement in Sex Offender Registration and Notification: Overview and Issues for Congress, In Brief [March 25, 2015]
"All states have sex offender registration and notification laws; however, these laws vary widely. Congress has attempted to standardize these laws through legislation, most recently through the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), a major component of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (Adam Walsh Act; P.L. 109-248) enacted in 2006. Among other things, SORNA created a three-tier classification system for sex offenders based solely on the crime of conviction. To date, seventeen states, three territories, and many American Indian tribes have been found to have 'substantially implemented SORNA.' SORNA stated that jurisdictions that fail to comply with its requirements risk having their annual Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds reduced by 10%. While several noncompliant states have chosen to lose 10% of their JAG funds, the majority of noncompliant states have applied to have these funds reallocated and used solely for the purpose of implementing SORNA. Sex offenses and sex offender management are primarily state and local criminal justice issues; however, the federal government plays a role in sex offender registration and notification as well as other sex offender management issues not discussed in this report. The federal government (1) sets minimum requirements and baseline standards for states for sex offender registration and notification, (2) provides assistance to states via grants and law enforcement support in tracking down noncompliant offenders, (3) maintains a public national website that provides information on registered sex offenders, (4) maintains a national sex offender registry for assisting law enforcement, and (5) receives and transmits information on the international travel of sex offenders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2015-03-25
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Marijuana Policy Gap and the Path Forward [March 10, 2017]
From the Document: "Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. It is a psychoactive drug that generally consists of leaves and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. Its history dates back thousands of years, but in the United States, it became popular as a recreational drug in the early 20th century. The THC [Tetrahydrocannabinol] content of marijuana is dependent on both the variety of the cannabis plant and the part used. Under federal law, cannabis and its derivatives are classified as Schedule I controlled substances-thus prohibiting their possession, cultivation, or distribution-under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), regardless of its THC content, unless specifically exempted or listed in another schedule (see 'Controlled Substances Act'). […] This report provides a background on federal marijuana policy and an overview of state trends with respect to marijuana decriminalization and legalization-for both medical and recreational uses. It then analyzes relevant issues for federal law enforcement and the implications of state marijuana legalization. The report also outlines a number of related policy questions that Congress may confront, including legalization in the District of Columbia, financial services for marijuana businesses, the medical nature of marijuana, oversight of federal law enforcement, and evaluation of marijuana as a Schedule I drug."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Bagalman, Erin; Finklea, Kristin M. . . .
2017-03-10
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Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Historical Overview, Funding, and Reauthorization [November 19, 2018]
"The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was originally enacted in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). It addressed congressional concerns about violent crime, and violence against women in particular, in several ways. Among other things, it allowed for enhanced sentencing of repeat federal sex offenders; mandated restitution to victims of specified federal sex offenses; and authorized grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement entities to investigate and prosecute violent crimes against women. This report provides a brief history of VAWA and an overview of the crimes addressed through the act. It includes brief descriptions of earlier VAWA reauthorizations and a more-detailed description of the most recentre authorization in 2013. The report concludes with a discussion of VAWA programs and a five-year history of funding from FY2014 through FY2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2018-11-19
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SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271): Food and Drug Administration and Controlled Substance Provisions [November 15, 2018]
"The SUPPORT [Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment] Act is a sweeping measure designed to address widespread overprescribing and abuse of opioids in the United States. The act includes provisions involving law enforcement, public health, and healthcare financing and coverage. Broadly, the legislation imposes tighter oversight of opioid production and distribution; imposes additional reporting and safeguards to address fraud; and limits coverage of prescription opioids, while expanding coverage of and access to opioid addiction treatment services. The bill also authorizes a number of programs that seek to expand consumer education on opioid use and train additional providers to treat individuals with opioid use disorders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dabrowska, Agata; Green, Victoria R.; Sacco, Lisa N. . . .
2018-11-15
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Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act [December 3, 2018]
"On October 24, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271; SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, or the SUPPORT Act). The final agreement on the bill was approved by the House 393-8 on September 28, 2018, and cleared by the Senate by a vote of 98-1 on October 3, 2018. Over the past several years, there has been growing concern among the public and lawmakers in the United States about rising drug overdose deaths. Opioid overdose deaths, in particular, have increased significantly in the past 15 years. In 2015, an estimated 33,091 Americans died of opioid-related overdoses. Provisional data for 2017 estimate 49,068 deaths involving opioids, representing a fourfold increase over 2002 during the beginning of the epidemic. In October of 2017, President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Duff, Johnathan H.; Bradley, David H. . . .
2018-12-03
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Defining Domestic Violence [March 27, 2019]
From the Document: "In 2018, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) changed the expansive domestic violence (DV) definition that appeared on its website to the more narrow statutory definition used for grant programs. There is some confusion as to the meaning and implication of OVW's change. In the 116th Congress, legislation has been introduced that would amend the definition used in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant programs--the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 1585), if enacted, would amend and expand the definition of DV."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2019-03-27
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Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Historical Overview, Funding, and Reauthorization [Updated April 23, 2019]
From the Introduction: "The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was originally enacted in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). It addressed congressional concerns about violent crime, and violence against women in particular, in several ways. Among other things, it allowed for enhanced sentencing of repeat federal sex offenders; mandated restitution to victims of specified federal sex offenses; and authorized grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement entities to investigate and prosecute violent crimes against women. This report provides a brief history of VAWA and an overview of the crimes addressed through the act. It includes brief descriptions of earlier VAWA reauthorizations and a more-detailed description of the most recent reauthorization in 2013. It also briefly addresses reauthorization activity in the 116th Congress. The report concludes with a discussion of VAWA programs and a five-year history of funding from FY2015 through FY2019."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2019-04-23
