Ensuring Representation for Survivors Act
Bill: S.3114 | Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan (R-AK)
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
Ensuring Representation for Survivors Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 grants for legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking victim services.
The bill also revises the grant program to allow states to receive a certain percentage of the total amount appropriated for grants to distribute to entities that provide legal assistance (e.g., pro bono representation and legal advocacy) to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.

To expand and improve the Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program to 
   ensure legal assistance is provided for survivors in proceedings 
    related to domestic violence and sexual assault, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ensuring Representation for 
Survivors Act''.

SEC. 2. ENSURING ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO 
              DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

    Section 1201 of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 
20121) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g);
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Grants to States To Ensure Access to Legal Assistance.--
            ``(1) In general.--In each fiscal year, the Attorney 
        General shall award to each State submitting an application 
        under paragraph (3) a grant in an amount equal to .5 percent of 
        the total amount appropriated under subsection (g) for the 
        fiscal year, to be used to provide legal assistance to 
        survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and 
        sexual assault, with the goal of all survivors of domestic 
        violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault 
        receiving legal assistance.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Any funds received by a State 
                under this subsection shall be distributed by the State 
                to public or private entities within the State to 
                implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects 
                to provide legal assistance, including pro bono 
                representation and legal advocacy, to help survivors of 
                domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual 
                assault--
                            ``(i) initiate or respond to motions to 
                        vacate or expunge a conviction, or similar 
                        actions, where the jurisdiction permits such a 
                        legal action based on a person's being a crime 
                        victim; and
                            ``(ii) other legal actions, other than tort 
                        actions, which, in the civil context, are 
                        reasonably necessary as a direct result of the 
                        victimization, such as--
                                    ``(I) civil legal assistance with 
                                divorce, child custody, child welfare, 
                                and support proceedings with 
                                corresponding enforcement;
                                    ``(II) assistance with and 
                                representation at proceedings for 
                                protective orders, restraining orders, 
                                or other stay-away orders;
                                    ``(III) assistance with contract, 
                                housing, employment, education, 
                                healthcare, benefits, and privacy 
                                matters; and
                                    ``(IV) intervention with creditors, 
                                law enforcement officers, and other 
                                entities on behalf of survivors of 
                                identity theft and financial fraud.
                    ``(B) Eligibility.--A public or private entity 
                seeking distribution of grant funds received by a State 
                under this subsection shall meet the eligibility 
                requirements described in subsection (d).
            ``(3) Application.--Each State seeking a grant under this 
        subsection shall submit an application to the Attorney General 
        at such time and in such manner as the Attorney General may 
        reasonably require.''; and
            (3) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking 
        ``$57,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and 
        inserting ``$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 
        2025''.
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