[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCING THE LEGAL SERVICES BENEFIT ACT

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my Subcommittee 
Ranking Member Mr. Camp in reintroducing the Legal Services Benefit 
Act.
  Many employees and retirees lost access to affordable preventive 
legal services when the tax-preferred status of qualified group legal 
plans sunsetted in 1991. This bill corrects that historic wrong and 
ensures that millions of workers and retirees have access to employer 
provided group legal service plans.
  Group legal service plans provide employees with low cost, basic 
legal services, including assistance with the purchase of a home, the 
preparation of a will, probate services and the resolution of domestic 
conflicts, such as child support collection. With evictions and 
mortgage foreclosures on the rise, legal plans can also help keep 
employees in their homes and focused on their jobs.
  The Legal Services Benefit Act will restore the historic pre-tax 
treatment of group legal services under Section 120 of the Internal 
Revenue Code. This change to the tax code will again make legal service 
plans affordable for both employers and employees, and will provide 
access to legal services for millions of middle-income Americans who 
might otherwise let legal troubles get out of hand.
  I thank many of my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee who 
have already joined us as original cosponsors of this bill, and I urge 
all members to support this important legislation that will help 
workers and businesses across the Nation.

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