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EQUAL Defense Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-3758| House 
| Updated: 5/31/2023
Suzanne Bonamici

Suzanne Bonamici

Democratic Representative

Oregon

Cosponsors (4)
Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Kelly Armstrong (Republican)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2023 or the EQUAL Defense Act of 2023 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. Finally, it reauthorizes through FY2027 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

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2868
EQUAL Defense Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9325
EQUAL Defense Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1408
EQUAL Defense Act of 2021
May 31, 2023
Introduced in House
May 31, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2868
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9325
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1408
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2021


  • May 31, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • May 31, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

EQUAL Defense Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-3758| House 
| Updated: 5/31/2023
Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2023 or the EQUAL Defense Act of 2023 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. Finally, it reauthorizes through FY2027 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

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2868
EQUAL Defense Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9325
EQUAL Defense Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1408
EQUAL Defense Act of 2021
May 31, 2023
Introduced in House
May 31, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2868
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9325
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1408
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2021


  • May 31, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • May 31, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Suzanne Bonamici

Suzanne Bonamici

Democratic Representative

Oregon

Cosponsors (4)
Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Kelly Armstrong (Republican)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted