H.R. 3971 would encourage States to report to the Attorney General certain information regarding the deaths of individuals in the custody of law enforcement agencies.

== Detailed Summary ==

<summary>
Death in Custody Reporting Act of 20072008 - Requires states that receive certain criminal justice assistance grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to report to the Attorney General on a quarterly basis certain information regardingon the death of any person who is detained, under arrest or is in the process of being arrested, en route to incarceration,arrest, or incarcerated in a municipal or county jail, state prison, state-run boot camp, contract facility, or other state or local facilities. Imposes penalties on statescorrectional facility (including any juvenile facility). Requires such information to include: (1) the name, gender, race, ethnicity, and age of the deceased; (2) the date, time, and location of death; (3) the law enforcement agency that faildetained or arrested the deceased; and (4) a description of the circumstances surrounding the death. Grants states 120 days from the enactment of this Act to comply with such reporting requirements. Permits the Attorney General to grant additional time to states to comply with reporting requirements and to waive such requirements in states where compliance would be unconstitutional.

RequiresGrants the Attorney General discretion to provide for and reportreduce by up to Congress on a study10% the amount of the criminal justice assistance grants of states that fail to comply with the reporting requirements of this Act.

Requires the Attorney General to collect information and provide for a study on the deaths of persons held in custody.custody and to report to Congress on the findings within two years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
</summary>

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== Status of the Legislation ==

<status>
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2008: Referred to9/25/2008: Placed on Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1087.
</status>

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== Points in Favor ==

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== Points Against ==

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