Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974

(LATEST SUMMARY)

Legal Services Corporation Act - Establishes in the District of Columbia a private nonmembership nonprofit corporation to be known as the "Legal Services Corporation," for the purpose of providing financial support for legal assistance in noncriminal matters to persons financially unable to afford legal assistance.

States that the corporation shall have a board of directors consisting of eleven voting members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, no more than six of whom shall be of the same political party.

Provides that within six months following the first meeting of the Board, the Board shall request the Governor of each State to appoint a nine-member advisory council for his State.

Sets forth the corporation's powers, duties and limitations.

Authorizes the corporation to make grants to, and to contract with, individuals, partnerships, firms, organizations, corporations, and State and local governments for the purpose of providing legal assistance to eligible clients.

States that no funds made available by the corporation under this Act, either by grant or contract, may be used: (1) to provide legal assistance under this Act with respect to a criminal proceeding; (2) for any political activities; (3) to make grants to or contracts with, any public interest law firm which expends 50 percent or more of its resources and time litigating issues in the broad interests of a majority of the public; (4) to provide legal assistance to any unemancipated person of less than eighteen years of age, except in enumerated instances; (5) to support or conduct training programs for the purpose of advocating, as distinguished from the dissemination of information about, particular public policies or encouraging political activities, labor or antilabor activities, illegal boycotts, picketing, strikes, or demonstrations; or (6) to organize or to encourage to organize the creation or structuring of any organization except for the provision of legal assistance in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Corporations; (7) to provide legal assistance with respect to any proceeding or litigation relating to the desegregation of any elementary or secondary school or school system; (8) to provide legal assistance with respect to any proceeding or litigation which seeks to procure a nontherapentic abortion or to compel any individual or institution to perform an abortion; or (9) to provide legal assistance with respect to any proceeding or litigation arising out of a violation of the Military Selective Service Act or of desertion from the Armed Forces of the United States.

Authorizes the corporation to require such reports as it deems necessary from recipients of grants or contracts. States that the accounts of the corporation shall be audited annually.

Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out the activities of the Corporation, $90,000,000 for the fiscal year 1975, $100,000,000 for the fiscal year 1976, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1977.