This bill amends federal law to expand access to court-appointed lawyers for low-income people filing civil cases in federal court. Currently, courts have discretion to appoint counsel for indigent litigants, but this bill requires courts to actively inform people of their right to request a lawyer and establishes specific factors judges must consider when deciding whether to grant such requests, including the complexity of the case, the person's ability to represent themselves, and whether they have disabilities or language barriers. The bill particularly emphasizes cases involving civil rights, employment, housing, health, and safety. Additionally, the legislation requires the federal court system to collect and report data every two years on how many people receive court-appointed counsel, what types of cases they involve, and whether these appointments improve case outcomes and court efficiency. The bill applies to all low-income federal litigants and aims to make the justice system more accessible to people who cannot afford private lawyers.
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