Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Gang-Related Witness Intimidation and Retaliation

Title II: Witness Relocation and Safety

Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1999 - Title I: Gang-Related Witness Intimidation and Retaliation - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for traveling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to engage in witness intimidation or obstruction of justice.

(Sec. 102) Subjects persons who conspire to obstruct justice involving victims, witnesses, and informants to the same penalties as those prescribed for carrying out such offense.

Title II: Witness Relocation and Safety - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) survey all State and selected local witness protection and relocation programs to determine and report to the Congress on the extent, nature, and training needs of such programs; and (2) make available training to assist State and local law enforcement agencies in developing and managing witness protection and relocation programs. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 202) Requires the Attorney General to: (1) engage in activities which promote coordination among State and local witness interstate relocation programs; and (2) establish a model Memorandum of Understanding for States and localities that engage in interstate witness relocation.

Authorizes the Attorney General to expend up to ten percent of the total amount appropriated for drug control and system improvement (Byrne program) grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to jurisdictions that have interstate witness relocation programs and that have substantially followed the model Memorandum of Understanding.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the use of Byrne grant funds for developing and maintaining witness security and relocation programs.