Definitions — Us Code Code § 9902

Us Code Code § 9902 — Definitions. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 9902. Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) Eligible entity; family literacy services

(A) Eligible entity

The term "eligible entity" means an entity—

(i) that is an eligible entity described in paragraph (1) (as in effect on the day before October 27, 1998) as of the day before October 27, 1998, or is designated by the process described in section 9909 of this title (including an organization serving migrant or seasonal farmworkers that is so described or designated); and

(ii) that has a tripartite board or other mechanism described in subsection (a) or (b), as appropriate, of section 9910 of this title.

(B) Family literacy services

The term "family literacy services" has the meaning given the term in section 9832 of this title.

(2) Poverty line

The term "poverty line" means the official poverty line defined by the Office of Management and Budget based on the most recent data available from the Bureau of the Census. The Secretary shall revise annually (or at any shorter interval the Secretary determines to be feasible and desirable) the poverty line, which shall be used as a criterion of eligibility in the community services block grant program established under this chapter. The required revision shall be accomplished by multiplying the official poverty line by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the annual or other interval immediately preceding the time at which the revision is made. Whenever a State determines that it serves the objectives of the block grant program established under this chapter, the State may revise the poverty line to not to exceed 125 percent of the official poverty line otherwise applicable under this paragraph.

(3) Private, nonprofit organization

The term "private, nonprofit organization" includes a religious organization, to which the provisions of section 9920 of this title shall apply.

(4) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(5) State

The term "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, §673, as added Pub. L. 105–285, title II, §201, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2729.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 9902, Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, §673, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 511; Pub. L. 97–115, §17(a)(1), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1609; Pub. L. 98–288, §31(a), May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 197; Pub. L. 98–558, title II, §202, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2884; Pub. L. 99–425, title IV, §402, Sept. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 968; Pub. L. 101–501, title IV, §§402, 408, Nov. 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 1251, 1255; Pub. L. 103–171, §7(c)(1), Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1994, defined terms used in this chapter, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 105–285.

About This Section

42 U.S.C. § 9902 is part of Title 42 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 42 U.S.C. § 9902. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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