MARSHALS Act

Full Title:
MARSHALS Act

Summary#

This bill moves the United States Marshals Service from the executive branch into the judicial branch of the federal government. It sets up the Marshals Service as a bureau within the judicial branch led by a Director appointed by the Chief Justice in consultation with a new Board. The Board will supervise the Director and include the Chief Justice and the Judicial Conference; the Director serves as an ex officio, nonvoting member. United States marshals for each judicial district will be appointed by the Chief Justice, in consultation with the Board, for four-year terms and will serve under the Director. The bill adds or updates duties and authorities for the Service, including explicit authorization to provide personal protection for federal jurists, court officers, witnesses, and other threatened persons when criminal intimidation affects judicial proceedings. It also allows the Service, at the Attorney General’s request and with the Director’s approval, to assist the Department of Justice with certain fugitive investigations, to issue administrative subpoenas in limited sex-offender investigations as tied to 18 U.S.C. 3486, and to help locate missing children. The bill makes technical and conforming changes to related sections and statutory tables.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a federal judge or court officer: the Marshals Service would be part of the judicial branch and can provide personal protection for jurists and court officers as described.
  • If you work for the Marshals Service: leadership, appointment processes, and reporting lines would change. Marshals would be appointed by the Chief Justice for four-year terms and serve under a Director supervised by the new Board.
  • If you are a witness or a person threatened because of a judicial matter: the Service is explicitly authorized to provide personal protection where criminal intimidation impedes judicial processes.
  • If you are a law enforcement partner: the Service may assist the Department of Justice on certain fugitive matters, limited administrative subpoena use for unregistered sex-offender investigations, and locating missing children, but only at the Attorney General’s request and with the Director’s approval.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs, budget changes, or estimated fiscal impacts appears in the bill text provided.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on supporters' arguments, statements, or intended benefits appears in the bill text provided.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' arguments or concerns appears in the bill text provided.