Federal Probation System Reform Act

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for increased supervision of persons required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release from prison, to criminalize disabling such an electronic monitoring device, to establish the Office of the Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Probation System Reform Act 2. Supervision of a person assigned an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release; Penalty for disabling an electronic monitoring device (a) In general Part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 237 the following new chapter: 239 Electronic Monitoring Devices Sec. 3801. Supervision of a person assigned an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release. 3802. Penalty for disabling an electronic monitoring device. 3801. Supervision of a person assigned an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release (a) In general In the case of a person who was convicted of a Federal offense who has been sentenced to probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter 227, placed on probation pursuant to the provisions of chapter 403, or placed on supervised release pursuant to section 3583, or a person accused of such an offense who has been released pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207, who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of such probation or release, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall ensure that an appropriate probation officer or pretrial services officer supervises the person by doing the following: (1) Conducting a daily review of any data produced by the electronic monitoring device worn by the person. (2) In the case of an alert produced by an electronic monitoring system that the Director determines requires an investigation, conducting an investigation immediately following the alert, including— (A) contacting the person; (B) inspecting the electronic monitoring device; and (C) documenting the alert and the response taken. (b) Uniform Standards Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall issue uniform standards in order to implement subsection (a). 3802. Penalty for disabling an electronic monitoring device (a) Offense Whoever— (1) intentionally disables an electronic monitoring device that was assigned to a person as a condition of probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter 227 or chapter 403, supervised release pursuant to section 3583, or release pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207; or (2) having been assigned an electronic monitoring device as a condition of probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter 227 or chapter 403, supervised release pursuant to section 3583, or release pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207, intentionally allows another person to disable such device; shall be punished as provided in subsection (b). (b) Punishment The punishment for an offense under subsection (a) is— (1) if the person to whom the electronic monitoring device was assigned commits a Federal, State, or local offense in addition to violating subsection (a) upon the disabling of such device, a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 4 years; or (2) if the person to whom the electronic monitoring device was assigned does not commit a Federal, State or local crime in addition to violating subsection (a) upon the disabling of such device, a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 1 year. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of chapters for part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 237 the following: 239. Electronic Monitoring Devices 3801 . 3. Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services (a) In general Chapter 207 of part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating sections 3155 and 3156 as sections 3156 and 3157, respectively; (2) after section 3154, by inserting the following: 3155. Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services (a) Establishment There is established within pretrial services (commonly referred to as the United States Probation and Pretrial Services System) the Office of the Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services (referred to in this section as the Office (b) Appointment, term, and removal of Inspector General (1) Appointment The head of the Office shall be the Inspector General, who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States after consultation with the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives. (2) Term The Inspector General shall serve for a term of four years and may be reappointed by the Chief Justice of the United States for any number of additional terms. (3) Removal The Inspector General may be removed from office by the Chief Justice of the United States. The Chief Justice shall communicate the reasons for any such removal to both Houses of Congress. (c) Duties With respect to probation and pretrial services, the Office shall— (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse; and (4) recommend changes in laws or regulations governing probation and pretrial services. (d) Powers (1) In general In carrying out the duties of the Office, the Inspector General shall have the power— (A) to make investigations and reports; (B) to obtain information or assistance from any Federal, State, or local governmental agency, or other entity, or unit thereof, including all information kept in the normal course of business by probation and pretrial services in any judicial district; (C) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses, and the production of such books, records, correspondence memoranda, papers, and documents; which subpoena, in the case of contumacy or refusal to obey, shall be enforceable by civil action; (D) to administer to or take from any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit; (E) to employ such officers and employees, subject to the provisions of title 5, governing appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates; (F) to obtain services authorized by section 3109 section 5332 (G) to the extent and in such amounts as may be provided in advance by appropriations Acts, to enter into contracts and other arrangements for audits, studies, analyses, and other services with public agencies and with private persons, and to make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Office. (2) Limitation The Inspector General shall not have the authority to— (A) investigate or review any matter that is directly related to the merits of a decision or procedural ruling by any judge or court; or (B) punish or discipline any pretrial services officer or probation officer. (e) Reports (1) When to be made The Inspector General shall— (A) make an annual report to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to Congress relating to the activities of the Office; and (B) make prompt reports to the Director and to Congress on matters that may require action by them. (2) Sensitive matter If a report contains sensitive matter, the Inspector General may so indicate and Congress may receive that report in closed session. (3) Duty to inform Attorney General In carrying out the duties of the Office, the Inspector General shall report expeditiously to the Attorney General whenever the Inspector General has reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of Federal criminal law. (f) Whistleblower protection (1) In general No officer, employee, agent, contractor, or subcontractor of pretrial services may discharge, demote, threaten, suspend, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act done by the employee to provide information, cause information to be provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any possible violation of Federal law or regulation, or misconduct, by a pretrial services officer or probation officer, which may assist the Inspector General in the performance of duties under this chapter. (2) Civil action An employee injured in violation of paragraph (1) may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate relief. (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. . (b) Clerical amendments Chapter 207 of part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 3157(b) (as redesignated by this Act) is amended by striking 3152–3155 3152–3156 (2) in the table of sections, after the item relating to section 3154, by inserting the following: 3155. Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services. .

Summary: Federal Probation System Reform Act - Amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to ensure that an appropriate probation or pretrial services officer supervises a person convicted of a federal offense who has been sentenced to probation, placed on probation, or placed on supervised release, or a person accused of such an offense who has been released pending trial, sentence, or appeal, and who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of such probation or release, including by: (1) conducting a daily review of any data produced by such device; and (2) conducting an investigation immediately following an electronic monitoring system alert that the Director determines requires investigation. Prohibits, and sets penalties for, intentionally disabling such a device or allowing another person to disable such device. Establishes within the United States Probation and Pretrial Services System the Office of the Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services, which shall: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse; (4) recommend changes in laws or regulations governing probation and pretrial services; and (5) report expeditiously to the Attorney General whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of federal criminal law. Provides whistleblower protection for an employee who provides information to or otherwise assists the Inspector General in an investigation of a possible violation of federal law or misconduct by a pretrial services or probation officer.