IMPROVED AND EXPEDITED DISPOSAL OF LOST, ABANDONED, OR UNCLAIMED PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE CUSTODY OF THE ARMED FORCES

SEC. 322. IMPROVED AND EXPEDITED DISPOSAL OF LOST, ABANDONED, OR UNCLAIMED PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE CUSTODY OF THE ARMED FORCES (a) In General.—Subsection (a) of section 2575 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking out “120 days” in the third sentence and inserting in lieu thereof “45 days”: (2) by striking out “$25 or more” and all that follows through “three months” in the fourth sentence and inserting in lieu thereof “more than $300, the Secretary may not dispose of the property until 45 days”; and (3) by inserting after the second sentence the following new sentences: “The diligent effort to find the owner (or the heirs, next of kin, or legal representative of the owner) shall begin, to the maximum extent practicable, not later than seven days after the date on which the property comes into the custody or control of the Secretary. The period for which that effort is continued may not exceed 45 days.”. (b) Technical Amendments.—Such section is further amended— (1) by striking out “owner, his heirs or next of kin, or his legal representative” each place it appears and inserting in lieu 103 STAT. 1414thereof “owner (or the heirs, next of kin, or legal representative of the owner)”; (2) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking out “his department” and inserting in lieu thereof “the Secretary’s department”; and (B) by striking out “owner, his heirs or next of kin, or his legal representatives” and inserting in lieu thereof “owner (or heirs, next of kin, or legal representative of the owner)”; and (3) in subsection (c), by striking out “he” and inserting in lieu thereof “that person”. (c) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to property that comes into the custody or control of the Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Transportation after the date of the enactment of this Act.