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EQUAL Defense Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-1408| House 
| Updated: 4/28/2021
Theodore E. Deutch

Theodore E. Deutch

Democratic Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (13)
Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Mondaire Jones (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Donald M. Payne (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2021 or the EQUAL Defense Act of 2021 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 FY2025 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
Feb 26, 2021
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 28, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2868
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2019


  • February 26, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 28, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 117-9325: EQUAL Defense Act of 2022
Business recordsCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsHigher educationJuvenile crime and gang violenceLaw enforcement administration and fundingLawyers and legal servicesState and local government operationsStudent aid and college costsWages and earnings

EQUAL Defense Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-1408| House 
| Updated: 4/28/2021
Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2021 or the EQUAL Defense Act of 2021 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 FY2025 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
Feb 26, 2021
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 28, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2868
    EQUAL Defense Act of 2019


  • February 26, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 28, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Theodore E. Deutch

Theodore E. Deutch

Democratic Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (13)
Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Mondaire Jones (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Donald M. Payne (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 117-9325: EQUAL Defense Act of 2022
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Business recordsCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsHigher educationJuvenile crime and gang violenceLaw enforcement administration and fundingLawyers and legal servicesState and local government operationsStudent aid and college costsWages and earnings