H.R. 1741 would authorize $150 million to establish a new federal grant program to make grants for States, tribes, and local governments to provide protection to witnesses in homicides, violent crimes or serious drug offenses. The grants may be used to pay for all or part of the cost of witness protection.

The bill would require States, tribes, and local governments to submit applications for the grants to the Office of Justice Programs. H.R. 1741 would also require the Attorney General to give priority to grant applications in the District of Columbia or in States with an average murder rate of at least 100 annually during the most recent five-year period.

The legislation would require the U.S. Marshals Service to provide technical assistance to State and local governments that received grants under the program. Each grant recipient would be required to make a report to the AG containing information that evaluates each program established with a grant under the bill. H.R. 1741 would also require the AG to develop best practice models to assist states in addressing issues related to the witness protection program.

The bill would authorize $30 million annually through fiscal year 2014 to carry out the bill.