MARSHALS Act

This bill would move the U.S. Marshals Service from the executive branch to the judicial branch. It also organizes basic rules for the agency, like how vacancies are handled, the oath of office, expenses, powers and duties, fees, a ban on practicing law, and reemployment rights.

Even after the move, the Marshals could still help the Department of Justice in certain cases. If the Attorney General asks and the Marshals Director agrees, they could investigate fugitives, issue administrative subpoenas to investigate unregistered sex offenders under federal law, and help other law enforcement agencies find and recover missing children.

• Who is affected: U.S. Marshals Service; federal courts; the Department of Justice; state, local, and federal law enforcement; families of missing children.
• What changes: The Marshals move to the judicial branch and keep specific support roles in fugitive hunts, unregistered sex offender investigations, and locating missing children when requested and approved.