Legis Daily

EQUAL Defense Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1377| Senate 
| Updated: 5/8/2019
Kamala D. Harris

Kamala D. Harris

Democratic Senator

California

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.
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Timeline
May 8, 2019
Introduced in Senate
May 8, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 26, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2868
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • May 8, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 8, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • June 26, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2868
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2868: EQUAL Defense Act of 2019
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 CongressS-1377| Senate 
| Updated: 5/8/2019
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 8, 2019
Introduced in Senate
May 8, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 26, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2868
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • May 8, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 8, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • June 26, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2868
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Kamala D. Harris

Kamala D. Harris

Democratic Senator

California

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2868: EQUAL Defense Act of 2019
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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