670.905—Are damages that occur to private parties at Job Corps Centers eligible for reimbursement under the Tort Claims Act?
(a)
Whenever there is loss or damage to persons or property, which is believed to have resulted from operation of a Job Corps center and to be a proper charge against the Federal Government, the owner(s) of the property, the injured person(s), or their agent may submit a claim for the damage to the Regional Solicitor. Claims must be filed no later than two years from the date of loss or damage. The Regional Solicitor will determine if the claim is valid under the Tort Claims Act. If the Regional Solicitor determines a claim is not valid under the Tort Claims Act, the Regional Solicitor must consider the facts and may still settle the claim, in an amount not to exceed $1,500.
(b)
The Job Corps may pay students for valid claims under the Tort Claims Act for lost, damaged, or stolen property, up to a maximum amount set by the Secretary, when the loss is not due to the negligence of the student. Students must file claims no later than six months from the date of loss. Students are compensated for losses including those that result from a natural disaster or those that occur when the student's property is in the protective custody of the Job Corps, such as when the student is AWOL. Claims must be filed with Job Corps regional offices. The regional office will promptly notify the student and the center of its determination.