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H.R. 3607: Maintaining Authority and Restoring Security to Halt the Abuse of Law

This bill, titled the "Maintaining Authority and Restoring Security to Halt the Abuse of Law" (or the "MARSHALS Act"), aims to change the structure and governance of the United States Marshals Service by transferring it from its current association with the executive branch to the judicial branch of the government. Below are the main components and changes proposed by the bill:

Transfer of the United States Marshals Service

The bill specifies that the United States Marshals Service will become a bureau within the judicial branch, which means it will be more closely associated with the courts and the judicial system rather than the executive branch.

Establishment of Leadership

A new leadership structure will be established for the Marshals Service:

The head of the Marshals Service will be a Director, appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
The Director can be removed by a Board that includes the Chief Justice, members of the Judicial Conference, and the Director (who will be a nonvoting member).

Appointment of United States Marshals

United States marshals, who operate in various judicial districts, will be appointed by the Chief Justice in consultation with the Board and will serve four-year terms.

If a marshal's position becomes vacant before the term ends, the Chief Justice will appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of the term.

Supervision and Goals

The Director's activities will be supervised by the newly established Board, which will also set goals and objectives to enhance the efficiency of the Marshals Service.

Protection and Enforcement Duties

The bill gives the United States Marshals Service the authority to:

Provide personal protection for federal jurists, court officers, witnesses, and others at risk of criminal intimidation that may impede justice.
Assist the Department of Justice with various tasks, such as investigating fugitives and issuing administrative subpoenas related to unregistered sex offenders.
Help local, state, and other federal law enforcement agencies in locating and recovering missing children.

Amendments to Existing Laws

The bill also includes several technical amendments to existing laws governing the Marshals Service. This includes changing language to reflect the new structure of the Marshals Service and updating certain procedural powers related to law enforcement and protecting individuals involved in judicial processes.