Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2019 or the EQUAL Defense Act of 2019 This bill 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.
Criminal justice information and recordsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLawyers and legal servicesStudent aid and college costsWages and earnings
EQUAL Defense Act of 2019
USA116th CongressHR-2868| House
| Updated: 6/26/2019
Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2019 or the EQUAL Defense Act of 2019 This bill 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.
Criminal justice information and recordsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsLaw enforcement administration and fundingLawyers and legal servicesStudent aid and college costsWages and earnings