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Homeland Security
Court Leadership in Information Sharing
| Issue:
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Homeland Security
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| Impact: |
Courts will be one of many sources of information for the homeland security effort.
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| Summary: |
On 11/25/02, the President signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) creating the Department of Homeland Security. It is difficult to assess exactly how this will affect the courts. Most of the new funds are directed to supporting intelligence gathering and on "first line responders," that is, the fire, safety and health officials who will be first on the scene in case of attack. The only obvious effect is on appropriations as homeland security has absorbed most of the new money available for domestic programs.
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| Position: |
No formal position
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| References:
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- Patriot Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-56)
- Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296)
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| Support
Materials:
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No additional materials
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Technology/Information Systems
| Issue:
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Court Leadership in Information Sharing
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| Impact: |
Federal information system initiatives are providing the context for technology policies at the state level, particularly in the development of standards and guidelines for systems development and information sharing. Courts can expect legislation and executive initiatives in their states that parallel the federal activity.
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| Summary: |
In December 2002 the President signed into law the E-Government Act of 2002 (PL 107-347). This act codified the efforts of the last three years, led by OMB and GSA, to develop a systematic, interagency approach to information system development that takes advantage of the internet and promotes information sharing among federal agencies and between federal, state, and local governments. Although PL 107-347 will have little direct affect on state courts, especially since there is no funding for implementation, the federal dialogue is certain to frame the future development of government information systems by state officials and private
vendors.
Of more immediate importance are the initiatives by individual agencies, which provide courts with opportunities for influencing the national agenda and for assistance with their development efforts. The most dramatic is the Global Advisory Committee on Justice Information Sharing (GAC) that provides general guidance to BJA's initiative to support state and local efforts to improve their information sharing capability. The GAC has played an active role in promoting the development of technology standards, particularly for XML, and in addressing issues of security, privacy, and intelligence. Representatives from COSCA, NACM, and NCSC have been active participants in the
GAC.
Information sharing agendas in other agencies are also important for state courts, for example, movement of interstate child support orders and the Officer of Child Support Enforcement; family violence issues and the Children's Bureau; Family Courts and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs; traffic cases and the Department of Transportation.
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| Position: |
State courts should have a strong role in national information system policies and procedures, which emphasize information sharing, use of standards, and appropriate funding.
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| References:
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Support
Materials:
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No additional materials
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National Center for State Courts
Government Relations Office
2425 Wilson Blvd., Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22201
Phone (800) 532-0204 Fax (703) 841-0206
Questions or Comments - email govrel@ncsc.dni.us
Copyright
© 2002 The National Center for State
Courts. All Rights Reserved. |
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