This bill, known as the Fair Legal Access Grants Act, establishes a new grant program under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to States, local governments, and Tribal governments . The primary purpose of these grants is to provide legal representation and resources to individuals who are eligible to seek extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) from applicable courts. Grant funds can be used to ensure petitioners have access to counsel and interpretation services, establish legal resource centers, and hire personnel to process and represent petitioners. Additionally, funds may be used to award subgrants to nonprofit organizations providing community legal aid and to train various legal and law enforcement personnel. The bill also specifies that no Federal court may exercise jurisdiction over a cause of action in response to a petitioner filing an ERPO, provided the petition was not false or intentionally harassing. An authorization of $50,000,000 is provided for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.
This bill, known as the Fair Legal Access Grants Act, establishes a new grant program under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to States, local governments, and Tribal governments . The primary purpose of these grants is to provide legal representation and resources to individuals who are eligible to seek extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) from applicable courts. Grant funds can be used to ensure petitioners have access to counsel and interpretation services, establish legal resource centers, and hire personnel to process and represent petitioners. Additionally, funds may be used to award subgrants to nonprofit organizations providing community legal aid and to train various legal and law enforcement personnel. The bill also specifies that no Federal court may exercise jurisdiction over a cause of action in response to a petitioner filing an ERPO, provided the petition was not false or intentionally harassing. An authorization of $50,000,000 is provided for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.