---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 9839"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "9839"
heading: "Administrative requirements and standards"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/9839"
units:
  - "Chapter 105 — Community Services Programs"
  - "Subchapter II — Head Start Programs"
---

# §9839. Administrative requirements and standards

- (a) **Employment practices, nonpartisanship, staff accountability, public access to information, etc.**
  - (1) Each Head Start [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall observe standards of organization, management, and administration that will ensure, so far as reasonably possible, that all program activities are conducted in a manner consistent with the purposes of this subchapter and the objective of providing assistance effectively, efficiently, and free of any taint of partisan political bias or personal or family favoritism. Each such [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall establish or adopt rules to carry out this section, which shall include rules to assure full staff accountability in matters governed by law, regulations, or [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) policy. Each [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall also provide for reasonable public access to information, including public hearings at the request of appropriate community groups and reasonable public access to books and records of the [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or other [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) engaged in program activities or operations involving the use of authority or funds for which it is responsible.
  - (2) Each Head Start [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall make available to the public a report published at least once in each fiscal year that discloses the following information from the most recently concluded fiscal year, except that reporting such information shall not reveal personally identifiable information about an individual child or parent:
    - (A) The total amount of public and private funds received and the amount from each source.
    - (B) An explanation of budgetary expenditures and proposed budget for the fiscal year.
    - (C) The total number of children and families served, the average monthly enrollment (as a percentage of funded enrollment), and the percentage of eligible children served.
    - (D) The results of the most recent review by the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) and the financial audit.
    - (E) The percentage of enrolled children that received medical and dental exams.
    - (F) Information about parent involvement activities.
    - (G) The [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)’s efforts to prepare children for kindergarten.
    - (H) Any other information required by the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24).
  - (3) Each such [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall adopt for itself and other [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) using funds or exercising authority for which it is responsible, rules designed to—
    - (A) establish specific standards governing salaries, salary increases, travel and per diem allowances, and other employee benefits;
    - (B) assure that only persons capable of discharging their duties with competence and integrity are employed and that employees are promoted or advanced under impartial procedures calculated to improve [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) performance and effectiveness;
    - (C) guard against personal or financial conflicts of interest; and
    - (D) define employee duties in an appropriate manner that will in any case preclude employees from participating, in connection with the performance of their duties, in any form of picketing, protest, or other direct action that is in [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of law.
- (b) **Development and administrative costs of programs—** Except as provided in [subsection (f)](#f), no [financial assistance](/usc/42/9832.md?p=5) shall be extended under this subchapter in any case in which the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) determines that the costs of developing and administering a program assisted under this subchapter exceed 15 percent of the total costs, including the required non-Federal contributions to such costs, of such program. The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall establish by regulation, criteria for determining (1) the costs of developing and administering such program; and (2) the total costs of such program. In any case in which the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) determines that the cost of administering such program does not exceed 15 percent of such total costs but is, in the judgment of the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24), excessive, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall forthwith require the recipient of such [financial assistance](/usc/42/9832.md?p=5) to take such steps prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) as will eliminate such excessive administrative cost, including the sharing by one or more Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of a common [director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) and other administrative personnel. The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) may waive the limitation prescribed by this subsection for specific periods of time not to exceed 12 months whenever the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) determines that such a waiver is necessary in order to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
- (c) **Rules and regulations; special or simplified requirements for small agencies; common or joint use of facilities—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall prescribe rules or regulations to supplement subsections [(a)](#a) and [(f)](#f), which shall be binding on all [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) carrying on Head Start program activities with [financial assistance](/usc/42/9832.md?p=5) under this subchapter. The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) may, where appropriate, establish special or simplified requirements for smaller [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) operating in rural areas. Policies and procedures shall be established to ensure that indirect costs attributable to the common or joint use of facilities and services by programs assisted under this subchapter and other programs shall be fairly allocated among the various programs which utilize such facilities and services.
- (d) **Publication and notification of proposed rules, etc.** At least 30 days prior to their effective date, all rules, regulations, and application forms shall be published in the Federal Register and shall be sent to each grantee with the notification that each such grantee has the right to submit comments pertaining thereto to the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) prior to the final adoption thereof.
- (e) **Neutrality concerning union organizing—** Funds appropriated to carry out this subchapter shall not be used to assist, promote, or deter union organizing.
- (f) **Purchase of facility; approval requirements; financial assistance—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall establish uniform procedures for Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) to request approval to purchase facilities, or to request approval of the purchase (after December 31, 1986) of facilities, to be used to carry out Head Start programs. The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall suspend any proceedings pending against any Head Start [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) to claim costs incurred in purchasing such facilities until the [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) has been afforded an opportunity to apply for approval of the purchase and the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) has determined whether the purchase will be approved. The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall not be required to repay claims previously satisfied by Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for costs incurred in the purchase of such facilities.
  - (2) [Financial assistance](/usc/42/9832.md?p=5) provided under this subchapter may not be used by a Head Start [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) to purchase a facility (including paying the cost of amortizing the principal, and paying interest on, loans) to be used to carry out a Head Start program unless the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) approves a request that is submitted by such [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and contains—
    - (A) a description of the efforts by the [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) to coordinate or collaborate with other providers in the community to seek assistance, including [financial assistance](/usc/42/9832.md?p=5), prior to the use of funds under this section;
    - (B) a description of the site of the facility proposed to be purchased or that was previously purchased;
    - (C) the plans and specifications of such facility;
    - (D) information demonstrating that—
      - (i) the proposed purchase will result, or the previous purchase has resulted, in savings when compared to the costs that would be incurred to acquire the use of an alternative facility to carry out such program; or
      - (ii) the lack of alternative facilities will prevent, or would have prevented, the operation of such program;
    - (E) in the case of a request regarding a previously purchased facility, information demonstrating that the facility will be used principally as a Head Start center, or a direct support facility for a Head Start program; and
    - (F) such other information and assurances as the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) may require.
  - (3) Upon a determination by the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) that suitable facilities are not otherwise available to [Indian tribes](/usc/42/9832.md?p=12) to carry out Head Start programs, and that the lack of suitable facilities will inhibit the operation of such programs, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24), in the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24), may authorize the use of [financial assistance](/usc/42/9832.md?p=5) to make payments for the purchase of facilities owned by such tribes. The amount of such a payment for such a facility shall not exceed the fair market value of the facility.
- (g) **Payments for capital expenditures—**
  - (1) Upon a determination by the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) that suitable facilities (including public school facilities) are not otherwise available to [Indian tribes](/usc/42/9832.md?p=12), rural communities, and other low-income communities to carry out Head Start programs, that the lack of suitable facilities will inhibit the operation of such programs, and that [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) of such facilities is more cost effective than purchase of available facilities or renovation, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24), in the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24), may authorize the use of [financial assistance](/usc/42/9832.md?p=5) under this subchapter to make payments for capital expenditures related to facilities that will be used to carry out such programs. The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall establish uniform procedures for Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) to request approval for such payments, and shall promote, to the extent practicable, the collocation of Head Start programs with other programs serving low-income children and families.
  - (2) Such payments may be used for capital expenditures (including paying the cost of amortizing the principal, and paying interest on, loans) such as expenditures for—
    - (A) [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) of facilities that are not in existence on the date of the determination;
    - (B) major renovation of facilities in existence on such date; and
    - (C) purchase of vehicles used for programs conducted at the Head Start facilities.
  - (3) All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) or renovation of facilities to be used to carry out Head Start programs shall be paid wages at not less than those prevailing on similar [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) in the locality, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) of Labor in accordance with sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40.
- (h) **Personnel preferences to Indian tribe members—** In all personnel actions of the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall give the same preference to individuals who are members of an [Indian tribe](/usc/42/9832.md?p=12) as the [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) gives to a disabled veteran, as defined in [section 2108(3)(C) of title 5](/usc/5/2108.md?p=3-C). The [Secretary](/usc/42/9832.md?p=24) shall take such additional actions as may be necessary to promote recruitment of such individuals for employment in the Administration.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 644, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 101–501, title I, §§ 111, 112, Nov. 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 1231; Pub. L. 102–401, § 2(j), Oct. 7, 1992, 106 Stat. 1958; Pub. L. 103–218, title IV, § 403, Mar. 9, 1994, 108 Stat. 96; Pub. L. 103–252, title I, § 110, May 18, 1994, 108 Stat. 636; Pub. L. 105–285, title I, § 106(e), Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2712; Pub. L. 110–134, § 13, Dec. 12, 2007, 121 Stat. 1414.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

In subsec. (g)(3), “sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40” substituted for “the Act of March 3, 1931, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276a et seq., commonly known as the ‘Davis-Bacon Act’)” on authority of Pub. L. 107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first section of which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.

### Amendments

2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–134, § 13(1), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which related to employment practices, nonpartisanship, staff accountability, and public access to information.

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 110–134, § 13(2)(A), added subpar. (A) and redesignated former subpars. (A) to (E) as (B) to (F), respectively.

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 110–134, § 13(2)(B), struck out “, from the amount reserved under section 9835(a)(2)(A) of this title,” after “financial assistance”.

1998—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 105–285 substituted “Financial assistance” for “Except as provided in section 9835(a)(3)(C)(v) of this title, financial assistance”.

1994—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–252, § 110(1), struck out “guidelines, instructions,” after “all rules, regulations,”.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 103–218, § 403(1), inserted “, or to request approval of the purchase (after December 31, 1986) of facilities,” after “to purchase facilities” and inserted at end “The Secretary shall suspend any proceedings pending against any Head Start agency to claim costs incurred in purchasing such facilities until the agency has been afforded an opportunity to apply for approval of the purchase and the Secretary has determined whether the purchase will be approved. The Secretary shall not be required to repay claims previously satisfied by Head Start agencies for costs incurred in the purchase of such facilities.”

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 103–252, § 110(2)(A), substituted “section 9835(a)(3)(C)(v)” for “section 9835(a)(3)(A)(v)”.

Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 103–218, § 403(2)(A), inserted before semicolon at end “or that was previously purchased”.

Subsec. (f)(2)(C)(i). Pub. L. 103–218, § 403(2)(B)(i), inserted “, or the previous purchase has resulted,” after “purchase will result”.

Subsec. (f)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 103–218, § 403(2)(B)(ii), inserted “, or would have prevented,” after “will prevent” and struck out “and” after semicolon at end.

Subsec. (f)(2)(D), (E). Pub. L. 103–218, § 403(2)(C), (D), added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpar. (D) as (E).

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 103–252, § 110(2)(B), added par. (3).

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 103–252, § 110(3), added subsecs. (g) and (h).

1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–401, § 2(j)(1), substituted “Except as provided in subsection (f), no” for “No”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–401, § 2(j)(2), substituted “subsections (a) and (f)” for “subsection (a)”.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–401, § 2(j)(3), added subsec. (f).

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–501, § 111, inserted “the required” before “non-Federal contributions”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–501, § 112, added subsec. (e).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–252 effective May 18, 1994, but not applicable to Head Start agencies and other recipients of financial assistance under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) until Oct. 1, 1994, see section 127 of Pub. L. 103–252, set out as a note under section 9832 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–401 effective Oct. 7, 1992, but not applicable with respect to fiscal years beginning before Oct. 1, 1992, see section 4 of Pub. L. 102–401, set out as a note under section 9835 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–501 effective Oct. 1, 1990, see section 1001(a) of Pub. L. 101–501, set out as a note under section 8621 of this title.

### Study of Benefits for Head Start Employees

Pub. L. 103–252, title I, § 120, May 18, 1994, 108 Stat. 648, provided that: Study.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study regarding the benefits available to individuals employed by Head Start agencies under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).Report.— Preparation.—The Secretary shall prepare a report, containing the results of the study, that— describes the benefits, including health care benefits, family and medical leave, and retirement pension benefits, available to such individuals; includes recommendations for increasing the access of the individuals to benefits, including access to a retirement pension program; and addresses the feasibility of participation by such individuals in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System under chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code. Submission.—The Secretary shall submit the report to the appropriate committees of Congress.”