118th Congress Crime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 3758: EQUAL Defense Act of 2023
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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.
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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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Kelly Armstrong R-NDOriginal
- Jasmine Crockett D-TXOriginal
- Jenniffer González-Colón R-PROriginal
- Mary Scanlon D-PA
Who scored on this bill
- 1Suzanne Bonamici SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced2 events+6
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History
- Introduced in the House by Suzanne Bonamici.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.