[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 41491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16830]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bureau of Justice Assistance

[OJP (BJA)-1281]


Announcement of the Availability of the Denial of Federal 
Benefits for Drug Offenders Program Guide

AGENCY: Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 
Denial of Federal Benefits Program, Justice.

ACTION: Notice of publication.

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SUMMARY: Announcement of the publication of the Denial of Federal 
Benefits for Drug Offenders Program Guide.

DATES: The Denial of Federal Benefits for Drug Offenders Program Guide 
will be available after June 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Denial of Federal Benefits Program, Bureau of Justice 
Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, 810 
Seventh St., NW, Washington DC 20531.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the Denial of Federal 
Benefits for Drug Offenders Program Guide publication, call Robert T. 
Watkins, Director, Denial of Federal Benefits Program; Phone: 202-616-
3506, [This is not a toll-free number], or visit the website at 
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA [Click on ``BJA Administered Non-Grant 
Programs'']

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    The Denial of Federal Benefits for Drug Offenders (DFB) Program was 
established pursuant to section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 
(Section 5301) (Publ. L. 100-690), and codified at 21 U.S.C. 862, and 
the President's Implementation Plan of August 30, 1989.

Background

    The Denial of Federal Benefits for Drug Offenders Program provides 
Federal and State courts with the discretion to deny all or selected 
Federal benefits to individuals convicted of drug trafficking or drug 
possession, for a specified period of time denoted at sentencing. The 
Program exempts certain benefits from denial such as public housing; 
welfare; drug treatment; and earned benefits such as retirement; Social 
Security; health; veterans; and disability. Deniable benefits under the 
Program include student financial aid; small business loans; media and 
transportation licenses; medical, engineering, scientific, and academic 
research grants; along with contracts and purchase orders issued by 
Federal agencies or those using Federally-appropriated monies. The 
courts may, at their discretion, restore denied benefits for those who 
successfully complete drug rehabilitation programs, or for other 
reasons at the discretion of the court.

The Program Guide

    On August 30, 1989 President Bush issued a communication to 
Congress which authorized and described the procedures for 
implementation of the Program and restricted the Program's application 
to convictions occurring on or after September 1, 1989. The Department 
of Justice was charged by the President with establishing a 
clearinghouse for all state and Federal courts that notify it of 
sentences which include a denial of Federal benefits pursuant to 
section 5301.
    General supervision and direction of the Denial of Federal Benefits 
Program was subsequently delegated by the Attorney General to the 
Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. In April 
1995, the Assistant Attorney General re-delegated the Bureau of Justice 
Assistance responsibility for the implementation and operation of its 
Denial of Federal Benefits Program.
    This Notice provides guidance and refers to the availability of the 
Program Guide which is used to implement this Program.

    Dated: June 19, 2000.
Nancy Gist,
Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance.
[FR Doc. 00-16830 Filed 7-3-00; 8:45 am]
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