Legis Daily

CLINIC Assistance Act

USA119th CongressHR-9735| House 
| Updated: 7/16/2026
Joe Courtney

Joe Courtney

Democratic Representative

Connecticut

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) by establishing a new grant program. The program would provide federal funding to **accredited law schools** to create or expand clinical, externship, or pro bono programs where law students, under attorney supervision, can assist participants and beneficiaries of employee welfare benefit plans. The grants would support legal representation for individuals facing various challenges related to their benefits. This includes assistance with **appeals of benefit denials**, navigating internal claims procedures and external reviews, and pursuing civil enforcement actions under ERISA. Funds can also be used to help individuals in actions brought against them by healthcare providers for unpaid out-of-pocket costs. Each eligible institution could receive up to **$500,000 annually**, with an authorization of $5,000,000 per fiscal year from 2026 through 2030. The bill also mandates **coordination** between the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) benefit advisors and these law school programs to facilitate assistance and information sharing for challenging denied claims, ultimately enhancing access to benefits for those in need.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
Jul 16, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 16, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • July 16, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 16, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Health

CLINIC Assistance Act

USA119th CongressHR-9735| House 
| Updated: 7/16/2026
This bill proposes to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) by establishing a new grant program. The program would provide federal funding to **accredited law schools** to create or expand clinical, externship, or pro bono programs where law students, under attorney supervision, can assist participants and beneficiaries of employee welfare benefit plans. The grants would support legal representation for individuals facing various challenges related to their benefits. This includes assistance with **appeals of benefit denials**, navigating internal claims procedures and external reviews, and pursuing civil enforcement actions under ERISA. Funds can also be used to help individuals in actions brought against them by healthcare providers for unpaid out-of-pocket costs. Each eligible institution could receive up to **$500,000 annually**, with an authorization of $5,000,000 per fiscal year from 2026 through 2030. The bill also mandates **coordination** between the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) benefit advisors and these law school programs to facilitate assistance and information sharing for challenging denied claims, ultimately enhancing access to benefits for those in need.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 16, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 16, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • July 16, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 16, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Joe Courtney

Joe Courtney

Democratic Representative

Connecticut

Education and Workforce Committee

Health

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