Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1983

Summary

Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1983 - Directs the Legal Services Corporation (the Corporation) to insure that recipients do not use Corporation funds to: (1) pay for any type of personal service, advertisement or communication designed to influence Federal, State or local agency decisions, except for legal assistance provided on claims directly concerning a client's legal rights or responsibilities; and (2) influence any elected official regarding legislation or legislative procedure. Allows the use of Corporation funds where the recipient's project director has: (1) approved their use for communications made in response to the formal request of an elected official; (2) expressly determined that a legislative body is considering an authorization, appropriation or oversight measure directly affecting the recipient or the Corporation; and (3) expressly approved legislative representation of a client after concluding that such client is directly affected by the legislation, can secure relief from the legislative body, and has provided specified documents. Prohibits class action suits against any government entity unless: (1) the recipient's project director has expressly given approval; (2) the class relief is for the primary benefit of eligible clients; and (3) the project director has concluded that the government practice or policy will continue to impact adversely upon clients and that out-of-court settlement would be adverse to the clients' interests. Requires notice to the government entity of the impending class action. Directs the Corporation to: (1) encourage recipients to negotiate settlements before filing suit; (2) develop criteria and regulations under which funds may be available for legal assistance to eligible clients by private attorneys. Prohibits the use of Corporation funds for legal assistance to: (1) aliens in violation of specified laws; (2) any proceeding or litigation relating to abortion unless such abortion is necessary to save the mother's life. Allows legal advice regarding a client's legal rights and responsibilities with respect to an abortion. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986. Specifies amounts available in such fiscal years for grants or contracts.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 25 April 1983

   Introduced

   Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 25 April 1983

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 25 April 1983

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 26 April 1983

   Referred

   Referred to Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties, and the Administration of Justice.

   Source: Committee

5. 28 April 1983

   Committee

   Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

   Source: Committee

6. 2 May 1983

   Committee

   Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

   Source: Committee

7. 4 May 1983

   Committee

   Clean Bill H.R.2909 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in Lieu.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 25 April 1983

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2] · D · Sponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1983