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Improving Fines and Fees Enforcement: New Rules and Court Support.

This act aims to improve how state and local courts enforce fines and fees, ensuring it is constitutional and equitable. It introduces support and training programs for courts to prevent unfair penalties for individuals unable to pay, and collects data to better understand the impact of these fees on citizens. This should prevent incarceration for debt and loss of rights, such as driving licenses or voting rights, due to lack of funds.
Key points
Prohibits incarceration for unpaid fines without assessing ability to pay and intentional non-payment.
Courts cannot condition access to a hearing on prepayment of a fine or fee.
Establishes clear rules for informing citizens about their rights, fee amounts, and consequences of non-payment.
Prohibits automatic driver's license suspension for non-payment of fines or fees.
Increases funding to support courts in equitable enforcement of fines and fees.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_5646
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]
Process start date: 2021-10-20
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

State Justice Improvement Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_5646.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-10-20.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Prohibits incarceration for unpaid fines without assessing ability to pay and intentional non-payment.
  • Courts cannot condition access to a hearing on prepayment of a fine or fee.
  • Establishes clear rules for informing citizens about their rights, fee amounts, and consequences of non-payment.
  • Prohibits automatic driver's license suspension for non-payment of fines or fees.
  • Increases funding to support courts in equitable enforcement of fines and fees.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law