---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 U.S.C. § 12381"
title: "34"
title_heading: "Crime Control and Law Enforcement"
number: "12381"
heading: "Authorization of circuit studies; education and training grants"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/34/12381"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — Comprehensive Acts"
  - "Chapter 121 — Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement"
  - "Subchapter III — Violence Against Women"
  - "Part D — Equal Justice for Women in Courts"
  - "Subpart 2 — education and training for judges and court personnel in federal courts"
---

# §12381. Authorization of circuit studies; education and training grants

- (a) **Studies—** In order to gain a better understanding of the nature and the extent of gender bias in the Federal [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7), the circuit judicial [councils](/usc/34/11103.md?p=17) are encouraged to conduct studies of the instances, if any, of gender bias in their respective circuits and to implement recommended reforms.
- (b) **Matters for examination—** The studies under [subsection (a)](#a) may include an examination of the effects of gender on—
  - (1) the [treatment](/usc/34/11103.md?p=15) of litigants, witnesses, attorneys, jurors, and judges in the [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7), including before magistrate and bankruptcy judges;
  - (2) the interpretation and application of the law, both civil and criminal;
  - (3) [treatment](/usc/34/11103.md?p=15) of defendants in criminal cases;
  - (4) [treatment](/usc/34/11103.md?p=15) of victims of [violent crimes](/usc/34/11103.md?p=27) in judicial proceedings;
  - (5) sentencing;
  - (6) sentencing alternatives and the nature of supervision of probation and parole;
  - (7) appointments to committees of the Judicial Conference and the [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7);
  - (8) case management and court sponsored alternative dispute resolution programs;
  - (9) the selection, retention, promotion, and [treatment](/usc/34/11103.md?p=15) of employees;
  - (10) appointment of arbitrators, experts, and special masters;
  - (11) the admissibility of the victim’s past sexual history in civil and criminal cases; and
  - (12) the aspects of the topics listed in [section 12372 of this title](/usc/34/12372.md) that pertain to issues within the jurisdiction of the Federal [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7).
- (c) **Clearinghouse—** The Administrative Office of the United States [Courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7) shall act as a clearinghouse to disseminate any reports and materials issued by the gender bias task forces under [subsection (a)](#a) and to respond to requests for such reports and materials. The gender bias task forces shall provide the Administrative Office of the [Courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7) of the United States[^1] with their reports and related material.
- (d) **Continuing education and training programs—** The Federal Judicial Center, in carrying out [section 620(b)(3) of title 28](/usc/28/620.md?p=b-3), shall include in the educational programs it prepares, including the training programs for newly appointed judges, information on the aspects of the topics listed in [section 12372 of this title](/usc/34/12372.md) that pertain to issues within the jurisdiction of the Federal [courts](/usc/34/12291.md?p=a-7), and shall prepare materials necessary to implement this subsection.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “Administrative Office of the United States Courts”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–322, title IV, § 40421, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1944; Pub. L. 106–386, div. B, title IV, § 1406(b)(1), Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1516.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 14001 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

### Amendments

2000—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–386 amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally, substituting provisions relating to continuing education and training programs for provisions relating to model programs.