S 717 — POWER Act

[Congressional[115th BillsCongress 115thPublic Congress]Law 237] [From the U.S.

Government Publishing Office] [S.[[Page 132 STAT.

7172447]] EngrossedPublic AmendmentLaw House115-237 (EAH)]115th <DOC>Congress InAn theAct HouseTo promote pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower survivors of Representatives,domestic U.violence.

S.,<<NOTE: July 17, 2018.

Resolved,Sept. That the bill from the Senate (S.

717)4, entitled2018 ``An- Act[S. to promote pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower survivors of domestic violence.'', do pass with the following AMENDMENT:

Strike717]>> outBe allit afterenacted by the enactingSenate clause and insert:House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE:

Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent Act of 2018.>> SECTION 1.

(8) Legal representation increases the possibility of successfully obtaining a protective order against an attacker, which prevents further mental and physical injury to a victim and his or her family, as demonstrated by a study that found that 83 percent of victims represented by an attorney were able[[Page to132 obtainSTAT. a protective order, whereas only 32 percent of victims without an attorney were able to do so.

2448]] able to obtain a protective order, whereas only 32 percent of victims without an attorney were able to do so.

DISTRICT<<NOTE: COURTS TO PROMOTE EMPOWERMENT EVENTS.

(a)Time Inperiods.>> General.--NotDISTRICT laterCOURTS thanTO 1PROMOTE yearEMPOWERMENT afterEVENTS. the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period of 4 years, the chief judge, or his or her designee, for each judicial district shall lead not less than one public event, in partnership with a State, local, tribal, or territorial domestic violence service provider or coalition and a State or local volunteer lawyer project, promoting pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and engage citizens in assisting those survivors.

(b)(a) Districts<<NOTE: Containing Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations.-- During each 2-year period, the chief judge, or his or her designee, for a judicial district that contains an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.

Deadline.>> In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period of 4 years, the chief judge, or his or her designee, for each judicial district shall lead not less than one public event, in partnership with a State, local, tribal, or territorial domestic violence service provider or coalition and a State or local volunteer lawyer project, promoting pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and engage citizens in assisting those survivors.

(b) Districts Containing Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations.-- During each 2-year period, the chief judge, or his or her designee, for a judicial district that contains an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.

(a) Report to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.--Not later than October 30 of each year, each chief judge shall submit to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts a report detailing each[[Page public132 eventSTAT. conducted under section 3 during the previous fiscal year.

2449]] each public event conducted under section 3 during the previous fiscal year.

(2) Requirement.--Each<<NOTE: comprehensive report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of how each public event meets the goals set forth in this Act, as well as suggestions on how to improve future public events.

Analysis.>> Requirement.--Each comprehensive report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of how each public event meets the goals set forth in this Act, as well as suggestions on how to improve future public events.

Attest:Approved September 4, 2018.

Clerk.LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S.

115th717: CONGRESS 2d Session S.

717--------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________CONGRESSIONAL AMENDMENTRECORD:

Vol.

163 (2017):

Aug.

1, considered and passed Senate.

Vol.

164 (2018):

July 17, considered and passed House, amended.

Aug.

15, Senate concurred in House amendment.

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