    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 115-237
    115th Congress

    An Act

    To promote pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower
    survivors of domestic violence. <>

    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 ``Pro bono Work to Empower and
    Represent Act of 2018'' or the ``POWER Act''.
    SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
    (1) Extremely high rates of domestic violence, dating
    violence, sexual assault, and stalking exist at the local,
    State, tribal, and national levels and such violence or behavior
    harms the most vulnerable members of our society.
    (2) According to a study commissioned by the Department of
    Justice, nearly 25 percent of women suffer from domestic
    violence during their lifetime.
    (3) Proactive efforts should be made available in all forums
    to provide pro bono legal services and eliminate the violence
    that destroys lives and shatters families.
    (4) A variety of factors cause domestic violence, dating
    violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and a variety of
    solutions at the local, State, and national levels are necessary
    to combat such violence or behavior.
    (5) According to the National Network to End Domestic
    Violence, which conducted a census including almost 1,700
    assistance programs, over the course of 1 day in September 2014,
    more than 10,000 requests for services, including legal
    representation, were not met.
    (6) Pro bono assistance can help fill this need by providing
    not only legal representation, but also access to emergency
    shelter, transportation, and childcare.
    (7) Research and studies have demonstrated that the
    provision of legal assistance to victims of domestic violence,
    dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking reduces the
    probability of such violence or behavior reoccurring in the
    future and can help survivors move forward.
    (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

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    able to obtain a protective order, whereas only 32 percent of
    victims without an attorney were able to do so.
    (9) The American Bar Association Model Rules include
    commentary stating that ``every lawyer, regardless of
    professional prominence or professional workload, has a
    responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay,
    and personal involvement in the problems of the disadvantaged
    can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the life of a
    lawyer''.
    (10) As leaders in their legal communities, judges in
    district courts should encourage lawyers to provide pro bono
    resources in an effort to help victims of such violence or
    behavior escape the cycle of abuse.
    (11) A dedicated army of pro bono attorneys focused on this
    mission will inspire others to devote efforts to this cause and
    will raise awareness of the scourge of domestic violence, dating
    violence, sexual assault, and stalking throughout the country.
    (12) Communities, by providing awareness of pro bono legal
    services and assistance to survivors of domestic violence,
    dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, will empower
    those survivors to move forward with their lives.
    SEC. 3. <>  DISTRICT COURTS TO PROMOTE
    EMPOWERMENT EVENTS.

    (a) <>  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. 5304)) shall lead
    not less than one public event promoting pro bono legal services under
    subsection (a) of this section in partnership with an Indian tribe or
    tribal organization with the intent of increasing the provision of pro
    bono legal services for Indian or Alaska Native victims of domestic
    violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
    (c) Requirements.--Each chief judge shall--
    (1) have discretion as to the design, organization, and
    implementation of the public events required under subsection
    (a); and
    (2) in conducting a public event under subsection (a), seek
    to maximize the local impact of the event and the provision of
    access to high-quality pro bono legal services by survivors of
    domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
    stalking.
    SEC. 4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (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

    [[Page 2449]]

    each public event conducted under section 3 during the previous fiscal
    year.
    (b) Report to Congress.--
    (1) In general.--Not later than January 1 of each year, the
    Director of the Administrative Office of the United States
    Courts shall submit to Congress a compilation and summary of
    each report received under subsection (a) for the previous
    fiscal year.
    (2) <>  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.
    SEC. 5. FUNDING.

    The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall use
    existing funds to carry out the requirements of this Act.

    Approved September 4, 2018.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 717:
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
    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.