Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act
Bill Summary
Requires attorneys to have access to their clients' digital information and electronic communications in order to provide effective assistance of counsel. Updates legal standards to account for digital evidence and communication.
Sponsored By
Bill Journey
- Feb 11, 2026
- Feb 11, 2026You Are Here
The committee will review the bill, debate amendments, and vote on whether to advance it to the full chamber.
- TBD
The full chamber debates the bill, may amend it, and votes on whether to pass it.
- TBD
If passed by the first chamber, the other chamber considers, may amend, and votes on the bill.
- TBD
If passed by both chambers, the bill goes to the President to sign into law or veto.
Why It Matters
This bill affects defendants in criminal cases, potentially improving their legal representation by ensuring their attorneys have access to relevant digital information. It also impacts attorneys and the judiciary, as they will need to adapt to new standards for handling digital evidence and communication.
Impact Areas
Support & Opposition
- Democratic2
- Republican2
Documents
1
Full text opens on congress.gov, the official source.
Cosponsors (3)
Bill Details
- Safety
Summary and impact analysis written by Judy (KnowGov's enrichment AI). Bill metadata, status, sponsor, and any floor votes from Prism. Sections marked “Sample” are placeholders not yet connected to live data.