Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1377
116th Congress(2019-2020)
EQUAL Defense Act of 2019
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on May 8, 2019
Overview
Text
Introduced
May 8, 2019
Latest Action
May 8, 2019
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1377
Congress
116
Policy Area
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crime and Law Enforcement
Primary focus of measure is criminal offenses, investigation and prosecution, procedure and sentencing; corrections and imprisonment; juvenile crime; law enforcement administration. Measures concerning terrorism may fall under Emergency Management or International Affairs policy areas.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
California
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

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.

Text (1)
Actions (2)
05/08/2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
05/08/2019
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Feb 8, 2022 11:21:46 PM