Legislation

Memorandum In Support of Senate Bill 3559A

This memo supports New York Senate Bill 3559A that would charge the Department of Corrections and the Division of Parole with providing individuals with information about voting rights, voter registration forms, and assistance with voter registration when requested.

– 02/24/10

California Recognizes Civil Right to Counsel and Creates Pilot Program

California approves legislation that creates a pilot, civil right to counsel program, “an unprecedented civil court experiment,” to fund attorneys for low-income people in cases where basic human needs are at stake.

– 10/13/09

Letter in Support of State Court Interpreters Grant Program Act, S.702

Brennan Center and allies urge Senate leaders to support bill that would improve language access in the courts

– 06/16/08

State Secrets Protection Act. S.2248

This memo addresses the constitutional power of Congress to enact the State Secrets Protection Act, S.2248, establishing rules regulating the invocation of the state secrets privilege.

– 04/03/08

State Basic Access Act (CA)

The “State Basic Access Act” is a model for a narrow right to counsel which attaches only to certain high priority basic needs, defined in the Act as shelter, sustenance, safety, health, and child custody.

Authored by: California Commission on Access to Justice
– 03/01/08

NYC Bill to Create Right to Counsel for Seniors in Housing Court

New York City Council Members Rose Mendez and Alan Gerson introduced legislation to establish a right to counsel for low-income seniors facing eviction or foreclosure.

– 11/15/07