§ 2996. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

Statutory text

The Congress finds and declares that—

there is a need to provide equal access to the system of justice in our Nation for individuals who seek redress of grievances;

there is a need to provide high quality legal assistance to those who would be otherwise unable to afford adequate legal counsel and to continue the present vital legal services program;

providing legal assistance to those who face an economic barrier to adequate legal counsel will serve best the ends of justice and assist in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with the purposes of this chapter;

for many of our citizens, the availability of legal services has reaffirmed faith in our government of laws;

to preserve its strength, the legal services program must be kept free from the influence of or use by it of political pressures; and

attorneys providing legal assistance must have full freedom to protect the best interests of their clients in keeping with the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Canons of Ethics, and the high standards of the legal profession.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1974
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964
Pub. L. 88–452 title X § 1001 · 78 Stat. 508
Enacted · 42 U.S.C. § 2996
Pub. L. 88–452, title X, § 1001, as added Pub. L. 93–355, § 2, July 25, 1974, 88 Stat. 378
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 88–452, title X, § 1001, as added Pub. L. 93–355, § 2, July 25, 1974, 88 Stat. 378
1977
Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1977
Pub. L. 95–222 § 2 · 91 Stat. 1619
Inserted · 42 U.S.C. § 2996(3)
Pub. L. 95–222 inserted provision relating to assistance in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with this chapter
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (3). Pub. L. 95–222 inserted provision relating to assistance in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with this chapter.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
Sec. 2. declaration of purpose Section 1001 of the Legal Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end of paragraph (3) “and assist in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with the purposes of this Act”.
Effective date note
Pub. L. 95–222, § 17(b), Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1624, provided that: “The amendments made by provisions of this Act other than sections 11 and 15 [amending this section and sections 2996c, 2996e, 2996f, 2996g, 2996h, 2996i, and 2996j of this title] shall be effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 1977].”

1 of 2 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1977—Par. (3). Pub. L. 95–222 inserted provision relating to assistance in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–222, § 17(b), Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1624, provided that: “The amendments made by provisions of this Act other than sections 11 and 15 [amending this section and sections 2996c, 2996e, 2996f, 2996g, 2996h, 2996i, and 2996j of this title] shall be effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 1977].”

Short Title

This subchapter is known as the “Legal Services Corporation Act”, see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of this title.

Credits

1974–1977 · 2 acts

1974Pub. L. 88–452, title X, § 1001, as added Pub. L. 93–355, § 2, July 25, 1974, 88 Stat. 378
1977amended Pub. L. 95–222, § 2, Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1619.

Show as published

(Pub. L. 88–452, title X, § 1001, as added Pub. L. 93–355, § 2, July 25, 1974, 88 Stat. 378; amended Pub. L. 95–222, § 2, Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1619.)