US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

34 U.S.C. § 12103

Violent offender incarceration grants

(a)

Eligibility for minimum grant

To be eligible to receive a minimum grant under this section, a State shall submit an application to the Attorney General that provides assurances that the State has implemented, or will implement, correctional policies and programs, including truth-in-sentencing laws that ensure that violent offenders serve a substantial portion of the sentences imposed, that are designed to provide sufficiently severe punishment for violent offenders, including violent juvenile offenders, and that the prison time served is appropriately related to the determination that the inmate is a violent offender and for a period of time deemed necessary to protect the public.

(b)

Additional amount for increased percentage of persons sentenced and time served

A State that received a grant under subsection (a) is eligible to receive additional grant amounts if such State demonstrates that the State has, since 1993—
(1)
increased the percentage of persons arrested for a part 1 violent crime sentenced to prison; or
(2)
increased the average prison time actually served or the average percent of sentence served by persons convicted of a part 1 violent crime.
Receipt of grant amounts under this subsection does not preclude eligibility for a grant under subsection (c).
(c)

Additional amount for increased rate of incarceration and percentage of sentence served

A State that received a grant under subsection (a) is eligible to receive additional grant amounts if such State demonstrates that the State has—
(1)
since 1993, increased the percentage of persons arrested for a part 1 violent crime sentenced to prison, and has increased the average percent of sentence served by persons convicted of a part 1 violent crime; or
(2)
has increased by 10 percent or more over the most recent 3-year period the number of new court commitments to prison of persons convicted of part 1 violent crimes.
Receipt of grant amounts under this subsection does not preclude eligibility for a grant under subsection (b).

Pub. L. 103–322, title II, § 20103Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101[(a)]110 Stat. 1321Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a)110 Stat. 1327(, as added [title I, § 114(a)], , , 1321–16; renumbered title I, , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

section 13703 of Title 42Section was formerly classified to , The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Prior Provisions

section 20103 of Pub. L. 103–322108 Stat. 1817Pub. L. 103–322Pub. L. 104–134A prior , title II, , , related to Violent Offender Incarceration Grants prior to the general amendment of subtitle A of title II of by .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Controlled Substance Testing and Intervention; Availability of Funds

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(a) [title I]110 Stat. 3009

34 U.S.C. 12103“That beginning in fiscal year 1999, and thereafter, no funds shall be available to make grants to a State pursuant to section 20103 or section 20104 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 [, 12104] unless no later than , such State has implemented a program of controlled substance testing and intervention for appropriate categories of convicted offenders during periods of incarceration and criminal justice supervision, with sanctions including denial or revocation of release for positive controlled substance tests, consistent with guidelines issued by the Attorney General”.
, , , 3009–14, provided in part: