--- kind: "section" citation: "36 U.S.C. § 220527" title: "36" title_heading: "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations" number: "220527" heading: "Complaints against national governing bodies" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/36/220527" units: - "Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations" - "Part B — Organizations" - "Chapter 2205 — United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee" - "Subchapter II — National Governing Bodies" --- # §220527. Complaints against national governing bodies - (a) **General.—** - (1) An [amateur sports organization](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-3) or person that belongs to or is eligible to belong to a [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) may seek to compel the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) to comply with sections [220522](/usc/36/220522.md), [220524](/usc/36/220524.md), and [220525](/usc/36/220525.md) of this title by filing a written complaint with the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7). A copy of the complaint shall be served on the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9). - (2) The [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) shall establish procedures for the filing and disposition of complaints under this section. - (b) **Hearings.—** The [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) shall hold a hearing, within 90 days after the complaint is filed, to receive testimony to decide whether the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) is complying with sections [220522](/usc/36/220522.md), [220524](/usc/36/220524.md), and [220525](/usc/36/220525.md) of this title. - (c) **Disposition of Complaint.—** - (1) If the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) decides, as a result of the hearing, that the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) is complying with sections [220522](/usc/36/220522.md), [220524](/usc/36/220524.md), and [220525](/usc/36/220525.md) of this title, it shall so notify the complainant and the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9). - (2) If the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) decides, as a result of the hearing, that the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) is not complying with sections [220522](/usc/36/220522.md), [220524](/usc/36/220524.md), and [220525](/usc/36/220525.md) of this title, it shall— - (A) place the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) on probation for a specified period of time, not to exceed 180 days, which the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) considers necessary to enable the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) to comply with those sections; or - (B) revoke the recognition of the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9). - (3) If the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) places a [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) on probation under paragraph (2) of this subsection, it may extend the probationary period if the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) has proven by clear and convincing evidence that, through no fault of its own, it needs additional time to comply with sections [220522](/usc/36/220522.md), [220524](/usc/36/220524.md), and [220525](/usc/36/220525.md) of this title. If, at the end of the period allowed by the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7), the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) has not complied with those sections, the [corporation](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-7) shall revoke the recognition of the [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9). ## Source credit (Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1476; Pub. L. 116–189, § 7(d), Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 960.) ## Notes | Historical and Revision Notes | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Revised
Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) | | 220527(a)(1) | 36:395(a)(1) (1st, last sentences). | Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 975, title II, § 205(a), as added Nov. 8, 1978, Pub. L. 95–606, § 2, 92 Stat. 3055. | | 220527(a)(2) | 36:395(a)(1) (3d sentence). | | | 220527(b)(1) | 36:395(a)(1) (2d sentence). | | | 220527(b)(2) | 36:395(a)(2). | | | 220527(c) | 36:395(a)(3)(A). | | | 220527(d) | 36:395(a)(3)(B)–(D). | | In subsection (b)(2), the words “or person” are added for clarity and consistency in the section. The words “all available remedies” are substituted for “its remedies” for consistency with subsection (b)(1) of this section. The words “within the applicable national governing body” are omitted as unnecessary. ### Editorial Notes ### Amendments 2020—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–189, § 7(d)(1), (3), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which related to exhaustion of remedies before filing a complaint. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–189, § 7(d)(3), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (b). Pub. L. 116–189, § 7(d)(2), substituted “The corporation” for “If the corporation decides that all available remedies have been exhausted as required by subsection (b)(1) of this section, it”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–189, § 7(d)(3), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c).