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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 11608a. Office of Children's Issues
(a) Director requirements
The Secretary of State shall fill the position of Director of the
Office of Children's Issues of the Department of State (in this
section referred to as the "Office") with an individual of senior
rank who can ensure long-term continuity in the management and
policy matters of the Office and has a strong background in
consular affairs.
(b) Case officer staffing
Effective April 1, 2000, there shall be assigned to the Office of
Children's Issues of the Department of State a sufficient number of
case officers to ensure that the average caseload for each officer
does not exceed 75.
(c) Embassy contact
The Secretary of State shall designate in each United States
diplomatic mission an employee who shall serve as the point of
contact for matters relating to international abductions of
children by parents. The Director of the Office shall regularly
inform the designated employee of children of United States
citizens abducted by parents to that country.
(d) Reports to parents
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), beginning 6 months after
November 29, 1999, and at least once every 6 months thereafter,
the Secretary of State shall report to each parent who has
requested assistance regarding an abducted child overseas. Each
such report shall include information on the current status of
the abducted child's case and the efforts by the Department of
State to resolve the case.
(2) Exception
The requirement in paragraph (1) shall not apply in a case of
an abducted child if -
(A) the case has been closed and the Secretary of State has
reported the reason the case was closed to the parent who
requested assistance; or
(B) the parent seeking assistance requests that such reports
not be provided.
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