Us Code § 5342 - Contracts for education, medical attention, relief and social welfare of Indians

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 5342 — Contracts for education, medical attention, relief and social welfare of Indians, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5342. Contracts for education, medical attention, relief and social welfare of Indians

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion, to enter into a contract or contracts with any State or Territory, or political subdivision thereof, or with any State university, college, or school, or with any appropriate State or private corporation, agency, or institution, for the education, medical attention, agricultural assistance, and social welfare, including relief of distress, of Indians in such State or Territory, through the agencies of the State or Territory or of the corporations and organizations hereinbefore named, and to expend under such contract or contracts, moneys appropriated by Congress for the education, medical attention, agricultural assistance, and social welfare, including relief of distress, of Indians in such State or Territory.

(Apr. 16, 1934, ch. 147, §1, 48 Stat. 596; June 4, 1936, ch. 490, §1, 49 Stat. 1458.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 452 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

1936—Act June 4, 1936, substituted "with any State or Territory, or political subdivision thereof, or with any State university, college, or school, or with any appropriate State or private corporation, agency, or institution", "through the agencies of the State or Territory or of the corporations and organizations hereinbefore named,", and "such State or Territory" for "any State or Territory having legal authority so to do,", "through the qualified agencies of such State or Territory,", and "such State", respectively.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Sections 5342 to 5348 of this title popularly known as the "Johnson-O'Malley Act", see note under section 5301 of this title.

Distribution of Public School Assistance

Pub. L. 100–446, title I, Sept. 27, 1988, 102 Stat. 1795, provided that: "notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amounts available for assistance to public schools under the Act of April 16, 1934 (48 Stat. 596), as amended (25 U.S.C. 452 et seq.) [now 25 U.S.C. 5342 et seq.], shall be distributed on the basis of the formula recommended by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in a letter to the Committees on Appropriations dated June 27, 1988, except that for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989, the minimum weight factor shall be 1.1 rather than 1.3 and for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1990, the minimum weight factor shall be 1.2 rather than 1.3".

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation act:

Pub. L. 100–202, §101(g) [title I], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–213, 1329–228.

Limitation on Contract Authority

Pub. L. 99–190, §101(d) [title I], Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1224, 1235, provided that: "notwithstanding any law or regulation, in allocating funds for aid to public schools under the Act of April 16, 1934, as amended [25 U.S.C. 5342 et seq.], the Secretary shall enter into contracts only for the provision of supplementary educational services for Indian children".

About This Section

25 U.S.C. § 5342 is part of Title 25 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 25 U.S.C. § 5342. 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.

How to Read This Statute

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Sources

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 5342

What does United States Code § 5342 cover?

Section 5342 ("Contracts for education, medical attention, relief and social welfare of Indians") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 5342?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 5342" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 5342 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.