US SB1377 | 2019-2020 | 116th Congress
Status
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: Introduced on May 8 2019 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2019-05-08 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Pending: Senate Judiciary Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Status: Introduced on May 8 2019 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2019-05-08 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Pending: Senate Judiciary Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Summary
Establishes and modifies certain programs that support the delivery of public defense services (i.e., legal services for criminal defendants who cannot afford counsel). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and public defender offices for public defense. A grant recipient must use the grant to establish a data collection process, develop workload limits, and satisfy specified compensation requirements (e.g., pay parity between public defenders and prosecutors). The bill also directs DOJ to award grants to nonprofits and government organizations to train public defenders, court-appointed attorneys, and contract attorneys. Additionally, a state that receives Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program funds must annually submit to DOJ information related to the legal representation of defendants in criminal cases. It also reauthorizes through FY2022 the student loan repayment program for prosecutors and public defenders and otherwise revises the program, including by increasing the maximum benefit amount.
Title
EQUAL Defense Act of 2019 Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2019
Sponsors
Sen. Kamala Harris [D-CA] |
History
Date | Chamber | Action |
---|---|---|
2019-05-08 | Senate | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. |
Same As/Similar To
HB2868 (Same As) 2019-06-26 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Subjects
Crime and law enforcement
Criminal justice information and records
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Law enforcement administration and funding
Lawyers and legal services
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings
Criminal justice information and records
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Law enforcement administration and funding
Lawyers and legal services
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings
US Congress State Sources
Type | Source |
---|---|
Summary | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1377/all-info |
Text | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s1377/BILLS-116s1377is.pdf |