42 U.S.C. § 4951 — Congressional statement of purpose

Page 6257 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 4951 forts of civic, community, and educational organiza- tions,’’ after ‘‘State, and local agencies’’. 1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–82 substituted ‘‘of this chapter’’ for ‘‘of ACTION, the Federal domestic volun- teer agency,’’ and ‘‘the Corporation for National and Community Service shall’’for ‘‘ACTION shall’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2009 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 111–13, title VI, § 6101(a), Apr. 21, 2009, 123 Stat. 1600, provided that: ‘‘This Act [see Tables for classifica- tion], and the amendments made by this Act, take ef- fect on October 1, 2009.’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103–82 effective Apr. 4, 1994, see section 406(b) of Pub. L. 103–82, set out as a note under section 8332 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. EFFECTIVE DATE Pub. L. 99–551, § 11, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3079, pro- vided that: ‘‘Except as otherwise provided, the amend- ments made by this Act [enacting this section and sec- tion 4959 of this title, amending sections 4953, 4955, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4992, 5011, 5013, 5024, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5055, 5056, 5059, 5061, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 5041 of this title] shall take effect October 1, 1986.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 311(a), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 898, provided that: ‘‘This subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 311, 392) of title III of Pub. L. 103–82, enacting sec- tions 5028, 5028a, and 5065 of this title, amending sec- tions 4951 to 4955, 4957, 4959, 4960, 4971 to 4973, 4992, 4993, 5000, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5021, 5024 to 5026, 5041 to 5044, 5055, 5057, 5062, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title and sections 8143, 8332, 8334, 8411, and 8422 of Title 5, Government Or- ganization and Employees, repealing sections 4974, 4994, 5012, 5047, 5060, and 5091 to 5091n of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4951 and 4952 of this title, and section 8332 of Title 5, and amending provisions set out as notes under this section and sec- tion 5001 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1989 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 101–204, § 1(a), Dec. 7, 1989, 103 Stat. 1806, pro- vided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting sections 4960, 5000, 5025, 5026, and 5027 of this title, amending sections 4952 to 4955, 4958, 4959, 4971, 4974, 4992 to 4994, 5001, 5011 to 5013, 5021, 5024, 5041, 5047, 5056, 5061, 5081, 5082, 5084, 5671, 5715, 5751, 5773, 5775, 5777, 9910b, 11803, 11825, 11842, and 11851 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4954 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 5601 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amend- ments of 1989’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1986 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 99–551, § 1, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3071, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting this section and section 4959 of this title, amending sections 4953, 4955, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4992, 5011, 5013, 5024, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5055, 5056, 5059, 5061, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sec- tion 5011 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 5041 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1986’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1984 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 98–288, § 1, May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 189, provided: ‘‘That this Act [enacting section 5024 of this title, amending sections 4951 to 4956, 4958, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4991 to 4993, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5056 to 5060, 5081, 5082, 5084, 9902, and 9912 of this title, repealing section 5045 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 5042 and 5045 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1984’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1979 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 96–143, § 1, Dec. 13, 1979, 93 Stat. 1074, provided: ‘‘That this Act [enacting sections 5063 and 5064 of this title, amending sections 4953, 4955, 4958, 4973, 4974, 4992, 5021, 5043, 5044, 5050, 5055, 5057, 5058, 5060, 5081, and 5084 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4992 and 5084 of this title, and amending provi- sions set out as a note under section 4955 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1979’.’’ SHORT TITLE OF 1976 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 94–293, § 1, May 27, 1976, 90 Stat. 525, provided: ‘‘That this Act [enacting sections 4958 and 4993 of this title, amending sections 4974, 4992, 5011, 5042, 5045, 5081, 5083, and 5084 of this title, repealing section 5053 of this title, and enacting provision set out as a note under section 4958 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1976’.’’ SHORT TITLE Pub. L. 93–113, title I, § 1(a), formerly § 1(part), Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 394, as renumbered and amended by Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 391, Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 915, pro- vided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting this chapter, amending section 3067 of this title and section 8332(b)(7) of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and re- pealing sections 2991, 2992 to 2992b, 2993 to 2993b, 2994 to 2994d, and 3044 to 3044e of this title, and enacting provi- sions set out as notes under this section and section 5041 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volun- teer Service Act of 1973’.’’ SUBCHAPTER I—NATIONAL VOLUNTEER ANTIPOVERTY PROGRAMS PART A—VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO AMERICA § 4951. Congressional statement of purpose This part provides for the Volunteers in Serv- ice to America (VISTA) program of full-time volunteer service, together with appropriate powers and responsibilities designed to assist in the development and coordination of such pro- gram. The purpose of this part is to strengthen and supplement efforts to eliminate and allevi- ate poverty and poverty-related problems in the United States by encouraging and enabling per- sons from all walks of life, all geographical areas, and all age groups, including low-income individuals, elderly and retired Americans, to perform meaningful and constructive volunteer service in agencies, institutions, and situations where the application of human talent and dedi- cation may assist in the solution of poverty and poverty-related problems and secure and in- crease opportunities for self-advancement by persons affected by such problems. In addition, the objectives of this part are to generate the commitment of private sector resources, to en- courage volunteer service at the local level, to support efforts by local agencies and community organizations to achieve long-term sustain- ability of projects, and to strengthen local agen- cies and community organizations to carry out the objectives of this part. (Pub. L. 93–113, title I, § 101, Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 396; Pub. L. 98–288, § 2, May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 189; Page 6258 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 4952 Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 321, Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 111–13, title II, § 2101, Apr. 21, 2009, 123 Stat. 1581.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2009—Pub. L. 111–13 substituted in second sentence ‘‘increase opportunities for self-advancement by per- sons affected by such problems.’’ for ‘‘exploit opportu- nities for self-advancement by persons afflicted with such problems.’’ and in third sentence ‘‘at the local level, to support efforts by local agencies and commu- nity organizations to achieve long-term sustainability of projects, and to strengthen local agencies and com- munity organizations to carry out the objectives of this part.’’ for ‘‘at the local level, and to strengthen local agencies and organizations to carry out the pur- pose of this part.’’ 1993—Pub. L. 103–82 amended last sentence generally. Prior to amendment last sentence read as follows: ‘‘In addition the objective of this part is to generate the commitment of private sector resources and to encour- age volunteer service at the local level to carry out the purposes set forth in this section.’’ 1984—Pub. L. 98–288, in second sentence, inserted ‘‘and alleviate’’ after ‘‘eliminate’’, struck out ‘‘human, so- cial, and environmental’’ after ‘‘poverty-related’’, in- serted ‘‘, all geographical areas,’’ after ‘‘all walks of life’’ and ‘‘low-income individuals,’’ before ‘‘elderly’’, and inserted at end ‘‘In addition the objective of this part is to generate the commitment of private sector resources and to encourage volunteer service at the local level to carry out the purposes set forth in this section.’’ Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2009 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111–13 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 6101(a) of Pub. L. 111–13, set out as a note under section 4950 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 392, Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 917, provided that: ‘‘This subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 311–392) of title III of Pub. L. 103–82, enacting sections 5028, 5028a, and 5065 of this title, amending this section, sec- tions 4952 to 4955, 4957, 4959, 4960, 4971 to 4973, 4992, 4993, 5000, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5021, 5024 to 5026, 5041 to 5044, 5055, 5057, 5062, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, and sections 8143, 8332, 8334, 8411, and 8422 of Title 5, Government Or- ganization and Employees, repealing sections 4974, 4994, 5012, 5047, 5060, and 5091 to 5091n of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4950 and 4952 of this title and section 8332 of Title 5, and amending provisions set out as notes under sections 4950 and 5001 of this title] shall become effective on October 1, 1993.’’ § 4952. Authority to operate VISTA program This part shall be administered by one of the Assistant Directors appointed pursuant to sec- tion 12651e(d)(1)(A) of this title. Such Director may recruit, select, and train persons to serve in full-time volunteer programs consistent with the provisions and to carry out the purpose of this part. (Pub. L. 93–113, title I, § 102, Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 396; Pub. L. 98–288, § 3, May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 189; Pub. L. 101–204, title I, § 101(d)(1), Dec. 7, 1989, 103 Stat. 1811; Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 322(a), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 899.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1993—Pub. L. 103–82 substituted ‘‘This part shall be administered by one of the Assistant Directors ap- pointed pursuant to section 12651e(d)(1)(A) of this title. Such Director’’ for ‘‘The Director’’. 1989—Pub. L. 101–204 struck out subsec. (a) designa- tion before ‘‘The Director may’’, struck out subsec. (b) which related to replacement of applicants who become unavailable for service, and struck out subsec. (c) which related to age quotas. 1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–288 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (b) and (c). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 322(b), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 899, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the effective date of section 203(b).’’ [Section 203(b) of Pub. L. 103–82 is effective 18 months after Sept. 21, 1993, or on such earlier date as the President shall de- termine to be appropriate and announce by proclama- tion in the Federal Register, see section 203(d) of Pub. L. 103–82, set out as a note under section 12651 of this title.] § 4953. Selection and assignment of volunteers (a) Covered projects and programs The Director, on the receipt of applications by public or nonprofit private organizations to re- ceive volunteers under this part, may assign vol- unteers selected under subsection (b) to work in appropriate projects and programs sponsored by such organizations, including work— (1) in meeting the health, education, welfare, or related needs of Indians living on reserva- tions or Federal trust lands, of migratory and seasonal farmworkers and their families, and of residents of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, Amer- ican Samoa, the Commonwealth of the North- ern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands; (2) in the care and rehabilitation of mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and other indi- viduals with disabilities, especially individ- uals with severe disabilities; (3) in addressing the problems of the home- less, unemployed individuals, and low-income youths; (4) in addressing the special needs connected with alcohol and drug abuse through preven- tion, education, rehabilitation, treatment, and related activities, consistent with the purpose of this part; (5) in addressing significant health care problems, including mental illness, chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and health care for homeless individuals (especially homeless children) through prevention, treatment, and community-based care activities; (6) in connection with programs or activities authorized, supported, or of a character eligi- ble for assistance under this chapter or the Community Service Block Grant Act [42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.], titles VIII and X of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2991 et seq., 2996 et seq.], the Head Start Act [42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.], the Community Eco- nomic Development Act of 1981 [42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.], or other similar Acts, in furtherance of the purpose of this subchapter; (7) in strengthening, supplementing, and ex- panding efforts to address the problem of illit- eracy throughout the United States;