H.R. 4109 · 110th Congress
Prison Abuse Remedies Act of 2007
- Stage
- In committee
- Sponsor
- Bobby Scott
- Introduced
- 2007-11-07
- Latest action
- 2008-04-22 · Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Summary
Prison Abuse Remedies Act of 2007 - Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to: (1) eliminate the requirement of a prior showing of physical injury before a prisoner may bring a claim for mental or emotional injury suffered while in custody; and (2) provide for a 90-day stay of nonfrivolous claims relating to prison conditions to allow prison officials to consider such claims through the administrative process; (3) exclude from the application of such Act prisoners under the age of 18; and (4) eliminate certain restrictions on awarding attorney fees in civil actions brought by prisoners.
Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) exempt prisoners under the age of 18 from the restrictions imposed by the Prison Litigation Reform Act; and (2) expand the discretionary authority of judges in awarding relief in actions involving prison conditions.
Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) exempt prisoners under the age of 18 from certain restrictions on in forma pauperis proceedings; (2) expand the number of in forma pauperis actions a prisoner may bring; and (3) revise requirements for assessing filing fees and costs against prisoners in such actions.