I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2418 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 14, 2009 Mr. Baca introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To provide Federal coordination and assistance in preventing gang violence.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as Mynisha's Law.

2.

Findings

Congress finds— (1)with an estimated 24,500 gangs operating within the United States, gang violence and drug trafficking remain serious problems throughout the country, causing injury and death to innocent victims, often children; (2)on November 13, 2005, a gang-related dispute broke out in San Bernardino, California, and gunfire sprayed an apartment building, killing 11-year old Mynisha Crenshaw and seriously wounding her 14-year old sister as they ate Sunday dinner with their family; (3)this tragic shooting symbolizes the struggle that so many communities across the United States, like San Bernardino, face in combating gang violence, and serves as a reminder of the nationwide problem of protecting children from senseless violence; (4)according to the National Drug Threat Assessment, criminal street gangs are responsible for the distribution of much of the cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and other illegal drugs throughout the United States; (5)the Federal Government has made an increased commitment to the suppression of gang violence through enhanced law enforcement and criminal penalties; and (6)more Federal resources and coordination are needed to reduce gang violence through proven and proactive prevention and intervention programs that focus on keeping at-risk youth in school and out of the criminal justice system.

3.

Designation as a comprehensive gang prevention and relief area

(a)

In General

A unit of local government, city, county, tribal government, or a group of counties (whether located in 1 or more States) may submit an application to the Attorney General for designation as a Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area. (b)

Criteria

(1)

In general

The Attorney General shall establish criteria for evaluating applications submitted under subsection (a) and for selecting areas for designation as Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Areas. (2)

Considerations

In establishing criteria under subsection (a) and evaluating an application for designation as a Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area, the Attorney General shall consider— (A)the current and predicted levels of gang crime activity in the area; (B)the extent to which violent crime in the area appears to be related to criminal gang activity; (C)the extent to which the area is already engaged in local or regional collaboration regarding, and coordination of, gang prevention activities; and (D)such other criteria as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate.

4.

Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force

(a)

In general

In order to coordinate Federal assistance to Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Areas, the Attorney General shall establish an Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force (in this Act referred to as the Task Force), consisting of a representative from— (1)the Department of Justice; (2)the Department of Education; (3)the Department of Labor; (4)the Department of Health and Human Services; and (5)the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (b)

Coordination

For each Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area designated by the Attorney General under section 3, the Task Force shall— (1)coordinate the activities of the Federal Government to create a comprehensive gang prevention response, focusing on early childhood intervention, at-risk youth intervention, literacy, employment, community policing, and comprehensive community-based programs such as Operation Cease Fire; and (2)coordinate its efforts with local and regional gang prevention efforts. (c)

Programs

The Task Force shall prioritize the needs of Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Areas for funding under— (1)the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.); (2)the Even Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.); (3)the Healthy Start Initiative under section 330H of the Public Health Services Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–8); (4)the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.); (5)the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program under part B of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7171 et seq.); (6)the Job Corps program under subtitle C of title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2881 et seq.); (7)the community development block grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.); (8)the Gang Resistance Education and Training projects under subtitle X of title III of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13921); (9)any program administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; (10)the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program under part R of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796ee et seq.); (11)the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program under subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3750 et seq.); and (12)any other program that the Task Force determines to be appropriate. (d)

Reporting requirements

(1)

In general

Not later than February 1 of each year, the Task Force shall submit to Congress and the Attorney General a report on the funding needs and programmatic outcomes for each area designated as a Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area. (2)

Contents

Each report under paragraph (1) shall include— (A)an evidence-based analysis of the best practices and outcomes among the areas designated as Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Areas; and (B)an analysis of the adequacy of Federal funding to meet the needs of each area designated as a Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area and, if the Task Force identifies any programmatic shortfalls in addressing gang prevention, a request for new funding or reprogramming of existing funds to meet such shortfalls.

5.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to meet any needs identified by the Task Force as necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act.