Sponsors (15)
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Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced June 6, 2025 by Summer Lee · Last progress June 6, 2025
Creates a federal grant program that funds legal representation and training after arrest by allowing the Attorney General to award grants to States, local governments, public defender offices, Tribal organizations, and nonprofits. It authorizes $50 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 to support counsel at early proceedings (including initial appearance) and related training and staffing.
Affirms that the constitutional right to counsel from Gideon v. Wainwright applies to all proceedings that occur after an arrest, expanding clarity about when states must provide a lawyer.