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119-s-3882119th Congress

Fair Legal Access Grants Act

Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Introduced

Summary

Federal grants to help people get legal help when seeking an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). The bill would fund representation, translation, legal resource centers, outreach, hiring, and training, and would limit federal court jurisdiction over ERPO-related responses when petitions are not false or intentionally harassing.

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  • Families and petitioners: People who would seek an ERPO could get funding for counsel, interpreters, and legal help centers so they can navigate the process and understand options.
  • State, local, and Tribal governments: These governments could receive grants to staff programs and run ERPO support services; the bill authorizes $50.0 million per year for FY2027–2031.
  • Legal aid and community groups: Nonprofits could receive subgrants to represent petitioners and expand multilingual outreach and resources.
  • Courts, law enforcement, and prosecutors: Training funds would help distinguish ERPOs from domestic violence protection orders and limit federal court responses to non-false petitions.

*Would authorize $50.0 million per year for FY2027–2031 to fund grants and related activities.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Legal help for ERPO petitioners

If enacted, the Attorney General would award grants to States, local, and Tribal governments. Grants would total $50 million each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Grantees could use the money to pay lawyers and interpreters for people who can file an extreme risk protection order. They could also run multilingual legal resource centers, hire staff or give subgrants to legal nonprofits, and train court and law enforcement staff.

Federal lawsuit shield for ERPO petitioners

If enacted, Federal courts would be barred from hearing a Federal cause of action brought in response to a covered petitioner's ERPO petition. This protection would apply only if the petitioner did not file a false or intentionally harassing petition. The rule would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

NY • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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