Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB10496

Caption

To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to strengthen the provision of legal representation to individuals in judicial proceedings that take place after the individual has been arrested in connection with a criminal offense, including at initial appearance.

Impact

If enacted, HB 10496 will have significant implications for the criminal justice system by addressing the right to counsel post-arrest. The bill plans to allocate substantial funding—$50 million annually from 2025 to 2029—to bolster public defense systems. This financial support is expected to reduce the workload of public defenders, ultimately leading to a better quality of defense for marginalized individuals who often lack access to adequate legal services. Strengthening legal representation is crucial for ensuring that defendants receive fair treatment throughout judicial processes.

Summary

House Bill 10496, known as the 'True Justice Act of 2024,' aims to enhance the provision of legal representation for individuals involved in judicial proceedings following their arrest for a criminal offense. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to issue grants to states, local governments, and public defender offices. These grants are intended to support legal representation efforts at critical stages, including the initial appearance in court. Additionally, the bill provides funding for the training of public defenders and attorneys, aiming to improve best practices in legal representation for those in need.

Contention

While the bill is generally supported as a necessary step toward ensuring justice, there are potential points of contention. Some legislators may argue about the implementation and oversight of grant distribution, questioning how the funds will be allocated among various states and localities. Additionally, concerns might arise over the adequacy of training programs for public defenders, as well as the overall effectiveness of such funding in addressing systemic issues within the criminal justice system. The dialogue surrounding the bill is likely to encompass economic and ethical considerations regarding the allocation of resources and priorities in public defense.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB64

Grant's LawThis bill requires the Department of Justice to detain a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) found to be unlawfully present in the United States and arrested for various crimes that would render the individual deportable or inadmissible.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may release the individual to an appropriate authority for proceedings related to the arrest, but DHS must resume custody for any period that the individual is not in such authority's custody.If the individual is not convicted of crimes for which the individual was arrested, DHS must continue to detain the individual until removal proceedings are completed. DHS must complete such removal proceedings within 90 days.

US SB5511

A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide additional opportunities for older individuals to volunteer at facilities that serve older individuals or individuals in younger generations, and for other purposes.

US HB10560

To promote the provision of exercise machines and equipment, and exercise and fitness classes and instruction, that are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

US HB10500

To amend title 11, United States Code, to add a bankruptcy chapter relating to the debt of individuals, and for other purposes.

US HB57

Ending Catch and Release Act of 2025This bill changes the treatment of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) without lawful immigration status, including by prohibiting the release of asylum seekers into the United States while their cases are pending.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may not (with some exceptions) release an individual who is not clearly entitled to admission into the United States while the individual's case is pending, even if the individual is an asylum seeker. DHS may instead detain the individual or return the individual to a neighboring country in certain situations.The bill also expands expedited removal from the United States (i.e., removal without further hearing or review) to include individuals present in the United States without being admitted, with certain exceptions. Under current law, individuals are subject to expedited removal if they lack proper documentation or obtained an immigration benefit through fraud; such individuals are still subject to expedited removal under the bill.The bill also modifies the standard for establishing a credible fear of persecution to avoid expedited removal. Generally, an asylum seeker may avoid expedited removal if an asylum officer finds such a credible fear. Under this bill, an officer may find credible fear if it is more likely than not the individual can establish their eligibility for asylum, whereas under current law, the officer may find credible fear if there is a significant possibility that the individual can establish their eligibility.

US HB372

Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients ActThis bill requires states participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and specified public housing programs to subject applicants to substance abuse testing or screening and to deny benefits for individuals who test positive for a controlled substance.Specifically, states administering these programs must determine whether an adult applicant for benefits has been arrested for a drug-related offense within the past five years. Applicants who have been arrested for such an offense must be tested for at least one controlled substance and must test negative to receive benefits. Applicants who have not been arrested for such an offense must be screened (via an interview, questionnaire, or other instrument) for risk of substance abuse. Applicants determined to be at high risk for substance abuse must be tested for at least one controlled substance and must test negative to receive benefits. Applicants who are determined not to be at high risk do not have to undergo testing. Applicants who test positive for a controlled substance at any point during this process are ineligible for benefits for one year, until they complete a treatment program, or until they test negative for the substance, whichever is later. Family members and households of individuals disqualified from receiving benefits under these provisions may generally continue to receive support.States that fail to enforce these provisions are subject to reduced federal funding for these programs the following fiscal year. 

US HB10450

To regulate monitoring of electronic communications between an incarcerated person in a Bureau of Prisons facility and that person's attorney or other legal representative, and for other purposes.

US HB9807

Strengthening Access to Contraceptive Care Act

US SB5

Laken Riley ActThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.Under this bill, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.The bill also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over adecision to release a non-U.S. national from custody;failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews;failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country;violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; orfailure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.

US SB5577

A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, to add a bankruptcy chapter relating to the debt of individuals, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.