Fair Legal Access Grants Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a grant program to help people navigate the legal process of asking a court for an extreme risk protection order. These orders, often called red flag laws, allow a judge to temporarily remove firearms from someone who is a danger to themselves or others.
• State, local, and tribal governments would receive money to hire lawyers, provide translators, and set up resource centers. This is designed to help family members or police who might find the legal paperwork and court hearings confusing or expensive to handle alone.
• The bill authorizes $50 million in spending every year from 2027 through 2031. This money can also be given to local nonprofit groups that provide free legal aid to the community.
• To encourage people to come forward when they see a threat, the bill protects those who file for these orders from being sued in federal court. This protection only applies if the person acted in good faith and did not file a false or harassing report.
• The program also pays for training for police, lawyers, and court staff. This training helps them understand the difference between red flag laws and domestic violence orders so they can recommend the best type of protection for each specific safety concern.