§371. Use of information collected during military operations

(a) The Secretary of Defense may, in accordance with other applicable law, provide to Federal, State, or local civilian law enforcement officials any information collected during the normal course of military training or operations that may be relevant to a violation of any Federal or State law within the jurisdiction of such officials.

(b) The needs of civilian law enforcement officials for information shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be taken into account in the planning and execution of military training or operations.

(c) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure, to the extent consistent with national security, that intelligence information held by the Department of Defense and relevant to drug interdiction or other civilian law enforcement matters is provided promptly to appropriate civilian law enforcement officials.

(Added Pub. L. 97–86, title IX, §905(a)(1), Dec. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 1115; amended Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XI, §1104(a), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2043.)

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–456 amended section generally, designating existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserting reference to military training, and adding subsecs. (b) and (c).

Short Title of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–570, title III, §3051, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–74, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle A (§§3051–3059) of title III of Pub. L. 99–570, enacting section 379 of this title, amending sections 374 and 911 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 374, 525, and 9441 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 89 of Title 14, Coast Guard] may be cited as the ‘Defense Drug Interdiction Assistance Act’.”

Authority for Joint Task Forces to Provide Support to Law Enforcement Agencies Conducting Counter-Terrorism Activities

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, §1022, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1594, as amended by Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, §1022, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3427; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title X, §1021, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 304; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title X, §1022, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4586; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, §1012, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2441; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1012(a)–(b)(2), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4346, 4347; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1004(a), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1556, provided that:

“(a) Authority.—A joint task force of the Department of Defense that provides support to law enforcement agencies conducting counter-drug activities may also provide, subject to all applicable laws and regulations, support to law enforcement agencies conducting counter-terrorism activities.

“(b) Availability of Funds.—During fiscal years 2006 through 2012, funds available to a joint task force to support counter-drug activities may also be used to provide the counter-terrorism support authorized by subsection (a).

“(c) Annual Report.—Not later than December 31 of each year after 2008 in which the authority in subsection (a) is in effect, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report setting forth, for the one-year period ending on the date of such report, the following:

“(1) An assessment of the effect on counter-drug and counter-terrorism activities and objectives of using counter-drug funds of a joint task force to provide counterterrorism support authorized by subsection (a).

“(2) A description of the type of support and any recipient of support provided under subsection (a).

“(3) A list of current joint task forces conducting counter-drug operations.

“(4) A certification by the Secretary of Defense that any support provided under subsection (a) during such one-year period was provided in compliance with the requirements of subsection (d).

“(d) Conditions.—(1) Any support provided under subsection (a) may only be provided in the geographic area of responsibility of the joint task force.

“(2)(A) Support for counter-terrorism activities provided under subsection (a) may only be provided if the Secretary of Defense determines that the objectives of using the counter-drug funds of any joint task force to provide such support relate significantly to the objectives of providing support for counter-drug activities by that joint task force or any other joint task force.

“(B) The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirements of subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is vital to the national security interests of the United States. The Secretary shall promptly submit to Congress notice in writing of any waiver issued under this subparagraph.

“(C) The Secretary of Defense may delegate any responsibility of the Secretary under subparagraph (B) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense or to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, such a responsibility may not be delegated to any official of the Department of Defense or any other official.”

[Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1004(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1556, provided that: “The authority in section 1022 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 [Pub. L. 108–136, set out above], as amended by subsection (a), may not be exercised unless the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress, in writing, that the Department of Defense is in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of such section, as added by section 1012(b) of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Public Law 111–383; 124 Stat. 4346).”]