[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 34, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 34CFR8.4]

[Page 30]
 
                           TITLE 34--EDUCATION
 
PART 8--DEMANDS FOR TESTIMONY OR RECORDS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 8.4  What procedures are followed in response to a demand for testimony?

    (a) After an employee receives a demand for testimony, the employee 
shall immediately notify the Secretary and request instructions.
    (b) An employee may not give testimony without the prior written 
authorization of the Secretary.
    (c)(1) The Secretary may allow an employee to testify if the 
Secretary determines that the demand satisfies the requirements of 
Sec. 8.3 and that granting permission--
    (i) Would be appropriate under the rules of procedure governing the 
matter in which the demand arises and other applicable laws, rules, and 
regulations; and
    (ii) Would not be contrary to an interest of the United States, 
which includes furthering a public interest of the Department and 
protecting the human and financial resources of the United States.
    (2) The Secretary may establish conditions under which the employee 
may testify.
    (d) If a response to a demand for testimony is required before the 
Secretary determines whether to allow an employee to testify, the 
employee or counsel for the employee shall--
    (1) Inform the court or other authority of the regulations in this 
part; and
    (2) Request that the demand be stayed pending the employee's receipt 
of the Secretary's instructions.
    (e) If the court or other authority declines the request for a stay, 
or rules that the employee must comply with the demand regardless of the 
Secretary's instructions, the employee or counsel for the employee shall 
respectfully decline to comply with the demand, citing United States ex 
rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951), and the regulations in this 
part.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 20 U.S.C. 3474)