EQUAL Defense Act of 2023

H.R. 2400, the Reentry Act, which would make persons eligible for Medicaid starting 30 days before their release from prison. H.R. 3074, the Due Process Continuity of Care Act, which would provide continued Medicaid eligibility for persons held in pretrial detention. H.R. 3479/S. 1753, the RESTORE Act, which would end the federal permanent lifetime ban on SNAP assistance for those with a past drug conviction and allow persons to apply for SNAP within 30 days of their release from prison. H.R. 3758, the EQUAL Defense Act, which would make a series of improvements to the work conditions and concerns of public defenders. H.R.4987/S. 1677, the Democracy Restoration Act and other activity in support of restoring the right to vote in federal elections for those leaving prison. H.R. 3019/S. 1401, the Federal Prison Oversight Act, and other activity in support of increased transparency and oversight of the conditions of federal prisons. S. 1950, the TEST Act, Activity in support of a health and harm-reduction approach to combating criminal activity involving fentanyl analogs in lieu of increased criminalization and harsh mandatory minimum sentences for even nonviolent offenses. Activity in support of expungement or record sealing for prior criminal convictions for select purposes, e.g., employment. Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act - draft legislation applying the same attorney-client privilege protections to electronic messages between individuals held in Bureau of Prisons facilities and their attorneys that already apply to all other forms of communication. Proposed reforms to the federal judiciary, including recommendations regarding the judicial confirmation process, judicial ethics, transparency, security, and public education. General research and discussions surrounding Supreme Court ethics rule, funding for the federal courts and federal defender legal services, and cameras in the courtroom. H.R. 2955/S. 1351, the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act - to provide greater oversight for youth treatment programs and promote best practices for identifying and preventing institutional child abuse. Proposed changes to Customs and Border Protection Directive No. 3340-049 (Border Search of Electronic Devices Containing Information, dated August 20, 2009), Customs and Border Protection Directive No. 3340-049A (Border Search of Electronic Devices, dated January 4, 2018), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Directive No. 7-6.1 (Border Searches of Electronic Devices, dated August 18, 2009) to prevent border officials from reading, duplicating, seizing, or sharing attorney-client privileged or confidential client documents or information contained on attorneys laptop computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices at U.S. border crossings unless the officials first obtain a subpoena based on reasonable suspicion or a warrant supported by probable cause.