Senator Eldridge Highlights Judiciary Victories in FY22 Budget
Victories include more funds for civil Legal Aid, Prison Legal Services, Mental health legal advisors, raises for court-appointed attorneys, modernize trial court and empower immigrants who are victims of human trafficking and domestic violence
Boston, MA - On Friday, July 16th, Governor Baker signed a $47.6 billion fiscal 2022 budget. As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) highlighted several priorities for the FY22 State Budget pertaining to the justice system, all of which passed. The following priorities are initiatives and programs that better serve the most vulnerable among us, combat social and racial inequality, while ensuring a just judicial system for all. “I want to thank Senate President Karen Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Michael Rodrigues for their strong support of improving access to justice in the FY22 budget, and am proud to partner with House Judiciary Chair Michael Day to advocate for these critical investments,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge.
● $168,000,000 to CPCS Bar Advocate Rate Increases: The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) funds criminal defense and certain civil legal services to indigent clients. Currently, bar advocates (i.e. private attorneys who bill CPCS for their services) are paid rates that are not commensurate with the critical work that they do. Hourly rates increased from $53 to $60.
“I fought for increasing these rates so attorneys can make a living wage and pay back their own student loans from college and law school. I also support increased pay for CPCS staff attorneys who are state employees. In my role as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, I have spent a lot of time learning about the difficulties Bar Advocates face when running a law practice on these low rates.” said Senator Eldridge
● $2,358,482 to Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS): PLS focuses on health and mental health care, guard-on-prisoner violence, physical conditions of confinement, and segregation and isolation promotes the safe, humane and lawful treatment of Massachusetts prisoners through civil rights litigation, administrative advocacy, client counseling, and outreach to policy makers and the public. Improving prison conditions is one of Senator Eldridge’s top priorities as Senate Judiciary Chair. PLS received a $150,150 increase from last year.
“In my time as a legislator, I have visited prisons and jails dozens of times, including prisons in the district that I represent. At times, I exercise my authority as a legislator to make surprise visits. I work in close partnership with PLS on improving prisons and jails. PLS needs to be well funded so that it can advocate for the thousands of incarcerated people, including those who are in solitary confinement.” said Senator Eldridge.
● $2,272,481 to Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC): MHLAC’s mission is to protect vulnerable people with mental health concerns from abuse and to help them access adequate mental health care.
● Adequate Funding for a Modern Trial Court: Senator Eldridge supports full funding for the Trial Court to maintain operations as best it can during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trial Court employs over 6,000 employees who work at 97 courthouses and now sometimes virtually. For this year’s budget, Senator Eldridge supports the Trial Court’s innovative approaches to delivering services to its users through its so-called “modules.”
● $35,000,000 to Civil Legal Aid: It is critical that the state increase funding for civil legal services. These services help residents facing eviction and foreclosure, child custody and support issues, denial of health care coverage, unemployment benefits appeals, domestic violence, and elder abuse. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for civil legal aid, especially in the areas of eviction defense and unemployment benefits.
Additionally, the U/T Visa Bill, An Act to promote the safety for victims of violent crime and human trafficking, was also signed into law.
“As the Senate chair of the Judiciary Committee, I was proud to report this bill favorably out last session, and pass the Senate. I’m deeply grateful to Chairman Rodrigues for his support of including this bill in the FY22 Senate budget, and to bill sponsors Senator Mark Montigny and Rep. Tram Nguyen for their leadership, and grateful to Governor Baker for signing this bill into law, as part of the budget,” said Senator Eldridge.
This bill standardizes the process for law enforcement, prosecution, and investigative agencies to provide vulnerable immigrant victims and witnesses who have been helpful in prosecution of serious crimes or trafficking the certification form they need to start the application process for a U-visa or T-visa. The bill also establishes a 90-day timefrance for agency response and a uniform oversight process. There will be increases in victim and witness participation in criminal legal proceedings and helps victims break the cycle of abuse while strengthening public safety for all people.
This progress is built upon the activism made by all of the key stakeholders in the judicial system, many mentioned above to improve the delivery of justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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