SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Witness and victim intimidation at the juve-
nile and young adult level is a serious, growing con-
cern for State and local prosecutors and law enforce-
ment agencies. 
(2) Each year, thousands of young people wit-
ness violent crimes such as assaults, robbery, homi-
cide, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. 
(3) In many cases, the lack of juvenile and 
young adult witness participation has seriously im-
peded efforts to bring violent perpetrators to justice. 
(4) Prosecutors and police officers have become 
increasingly frustrated by their inability to prosecute 
cases successfully when young witnesses refuse to 
testify because they fear retaliation by the defend-
ant, or the defendant’s family or friends. 
(5) Factors that contribute to the reluctance of 
young witnesses to step forward include—
(A) the fear and trauma associated with 
witnessing a violent crime; 
(B) a personal connection with the perpe-
trator or their associates; 
(C) geographic proximity to the perpe-
trator; and
(D) membership in a culturally vulnerable 
group. 
(6) The cooperation and participation of young 
victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process, 
from crime reporting through prosecution, are essen-
tial to the successful operation of the criminal jus-
tice system. 
(7) Though most States have witness assistance 
programs, very few, if any, have adequate resources 
to address the unique needs associated with juvenile 
and young adult witnesses. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to encour-
age and promote the creation and development of policies 
and programs by State and local prosecutors and law en-
forcement authorities that provide assistance to juvenile 
and young adult witnesses who cooperate with efforts to 
bring violent criminals to justice. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this Act: 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance. 
(2) JUVENILE.—The term ‘‘juvenile’’ means an 
individual who is 17 years of age or younger.
(3) YOUNG ADULT.—The term ‘‘young adult’’ 
means an individual who is between the ages of 18 
and 21. 
(4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any 
State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Is-
lands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern 
Mariana Islands. 
SEC. 4. PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION. 
The Director may make grants to State and local 
prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in support of 
juvenile and young adult witness assistance programs, in-
cluding State and local prosecutors and law enforcement 
agencies that have existing juvenile and adult witness as-
sistance programs. 
SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY. 
To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, State 
and local prosecutors and law enforcement officials shall—
(1) submit an application to the Director in 
such form and containing such information as the 
Director may reasonably require; and 
(2) give assurances that each applicant has de-
veloped, or is in the process of developing, a witness 
assistance program that specifically targets the
unique needs of juvenile and young adult witnesses 
and their families. 
SEC. 6. USE OF FUNDS. 
Grants made available under this Act may be used—
(1) to assess the needs of juvenile and young 
adult witnesses; 
(2) to develop appropriate program goals and 
objectives; and 
(3) to develop and administer a variety of wit-
ness assistance services, which includes—
(A) counseling services to young witnesses 
dealing with trauma associated in witnessing a 
violent crime; 
(B) pre- and post-trial assistance for the 
youth and their family; 
(C) providing education services if the 
child is removed from or changes their school 
for safety concerns; 
(D) protective services for young witnesses 
and their families when a serious threat of 
harm from the perpetrators or their associates 
is made; and 
(E) community outreach and school-based 
initiatives that stimulate and maintain public 
awareness and support.
SEC. 7. REPORTS. 
(a) REPORT.—State and local prosecutors and law 
enforcement agencies that receive funds under this Act 
shall submit to the Director a report not later than May 
1st of each year in which grants are made available under 
this Act. Reports shall describe progress achieved in car-
rying out the purpose of this Act. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Director shall sub-
mit to Congress a report by July 1st of each year which 
contains a detailed statement regarding grant awards, ac-
tivities of grant recipients, a compilation of statistical in-
formation submitted by applicants, and an evaluation of 
programs established under this Act. 
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this Act $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, 
and 2006.
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