-
Current through October 23, 2012
(a) Any District of Columbia court may authorize the commencement, prosecution or defense of any noncriminal suit, action or proceeding, or appeal therein, without prepayment of fees and costs or security therefor, including the fees for transcripts on appeal, by a person who is unable to pay such costs or give security therefor without substantial hardship to himself or herself or his or her family, as established by affidavit or other proof satisfactory to the court.
(b) Any person who makes an affidavit as provided in subsection (a) of this section and states therein that he or she receives public assistance under the District of Columbia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Program on Work, Employment, and Responsibility or General Assistance for Children programs, or receives assistance under title XVI of the Social Security Act (Supplemental Security Income) (76 Stat. 197) shall be presumed eligible to proceed without prepayment of fees and costs or security therefor.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 536, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 554, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 144(14); Apr. 7, 1977, D.C. Law 1-107, title II, § 202, 23 DCR 8737; Mar. 20, 1998, D.C. Law 12-60, § 703, 44 DCR 7378; Apr. 20, 1999, D.C. Law 12-241, § 8, 46 DCR 905; Apr. 20, 1999, D.C. Law 12-264, § 24, 46 DCR 2118.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 15-712.
1973 Ed., § 15-712.
Temporary Amendments of Section
Section 4 of D.C. Law 12-21 substituted "General Assistance for Children Programs" for "General Public Assistance Programs" in (b).
Section 8(b) of D.C. Law 12-21 provided that the act shall expire on the 225th day of its having taken effect.
D.C. Law 12-59, in (b), substituted "General Assistance for Children" for "General Public Assistance."
Section 2001(b) of D.C. Law 12-59 provided that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.
Section 2002 of D.C. Law 12-59 provided that the act shall apply as of October 1, 1997.
Section 8 of D.C. Law 12-230 substituted "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Program on Work, Employment, and Responsibility" for "Aid to Families with Dependent Children" in (b).
Section 18(b) of D.C. Law 12-230 provides that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary amendment of section, see § 4 of the General Public Assistance Program Termination Emergency Amendment Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-72, May 12, 1997, 44 DCR 2989).
Section 7 of D.C. Act 12-72 provides for the application of the act.
For temporary amendment of section, see § 703 of the Fiscal Year 1998 Revised Budget Support Emergency Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-152, October 17, 1997, 44 DCR 6196); and § 703 of the Fiscal Year 1998 Revised Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-239, January 13, 1998, 45 DCR 508).
Section 2002 of D.C. Act 12-152 provides for the application of the act.
For temporary amendment of section, see § 8 of the Self-Sufficiency Promotion Emergency Amendment Act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-372, June 9, 1998, 45 DCR 4270), § 8 of the Self-Sufficiency Promotion Legislative Review Emergency Amendment Act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-425, July 31, 1998, 45 DCR 5682), § 8 of the Self-Sufficiency Promotion Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-552, December 24, 1998, 46 DCR 521), and § 8 of the Self-Sufficiency Promotion Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 1999 (D.C. Act 13-19, February 17, 1999, 46 DCR 2492).
Section 17 of D.C. Act 12-552 provides for the retroactive application of the act.
Section 18 of D.C. Act 13-19 provides for the retroactive application of the act.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 1-107, the "District of Columbia Marriage and Divorce Act," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 1-89, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and Criminal Law. The Bill was adopted on amended first readings on July 27, 1976 and September 15, 1976, and second readings on November 22, 1976 and December 7, 1976. Signed by the Mayor on January 4, 1977, it was assigned Act No. 1-193 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
Law 12-21, the "General Public Assistance Program Termination Temporary Amendment Act of 1997," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12- 169. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on May 6, 1997, and June 3, 1997, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on June 18, 1997, it was assigned Act No. 12-98 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-21 became effective on September 23, 1997.
Law 12-59, the "Fiscal Year 1998 Revised Budget Support Temporary Act of 1997," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-350. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on September 8, 1997, and September 22, 1997, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on October 24, 1997, it was assigned Act No. 12-190 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12- 59 became effective on March 20, 1998.
Law 12-60, the "Fiscal Year 1998 Revised Budget Support Act of 1997," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-353, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on September 22, 1997, and October 7, 1997, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on October 24, 1997, it was assigned Act No. 12-191 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-60 became effective on March 20, 1998.
Law 12-230, the "Self-Sufficiency Promotion Temporary Amendment Act of 1998," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-557. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on May 5, 1998, and July 30, 1998, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on August 18, 1998, it was assigned Act No. 12-443 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-230 became effective on April 20, 1999.
Law 12-241, the "Self-Sufficiency Promotion Amendment Act of 1998," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-558, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on November 10, 1998, and December 1, 1998, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on December 23, 1998, it was assigned Act No. 12-573 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-241 became effective on April 20, 1999.
Law 12-264, the "Technical Amendments Act of 1998," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-804, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on November 10, 1998, and December 1, 1998, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on January 7, 1999, it was assigned Act No. 12-626 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-264 became effective on April 20, 1999.
References in Text
Title XVI of the Social Security Act, referred to in subsection (b) of this section, is title XVI of the Act of August 14, 1935, ch. 531, as added by the Act of October 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1465, Pub. L. 92-603, § 301, which is classified to 42 U.S.C. § 1381 et seq.
Miscellaneous Notes
Section 2002 of D.C. Law 12-60 provided that the Act shall apply as of october 1, 1997
