WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) unveiled new legislation on Monday aimed at supporting district attorneys. The Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for Prosecutors (HIRRE) Act seeks to address staffing challenges in prosecutor offices nationwide.
The bill proposes a federal competitive grant program. This initiative would provide funding to hire, train, and retain local prosecutors who are essential for public safety. Joining Casey in this bipartisan and bicameral effort are Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Jim Baird (R-IN), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Joe Neguse (D-CO), who introduced companion legislation in the House.
Senator Casey emphasized the urgent need for this support. “In order to protect public safety and the rule of law, it is critical that we have enough well-trained prosecutors who seek justice when crimes are committed,” Casey stated. “This bill supports local district attorney offices to ensure they have the resources needed to better attract and retain talented attorneys to prosecute local crime.”
Representative Panetta echoed these sentiments, pointing out the competitive disadvantage local prosecutors face compared to private law firms. “For far too long, our local district attorneys’ offices have had to compete with private, better-paying law firms for talented attorneys,” he said. The HIRRE Act, he noted, would provide crucial federal grants to help local prosecutors effectively pursue justice and ensure public safety.
The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) has voiced strong support for the bill. Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the NDAA, said the Act would have an immediate and transformative impact. It aims to tackle issues like understaffing, heavy caseloads, and high turnover by establishing a federal grant program focused on hiring, training, and retention.
David A. Strouse, President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, underscored the importance of the legislation for local communities. “Prosecutors are needed to ensure the safety of their communities and seek justice for crime victims,” Strouse said. He highlighted the challenges district attorneys face in filling vacancies, which puts pressure on existing staff and compromises public safety.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele also praised the HIRRE Act. He noted that prosecutor offices struggle to retain lawyers who are often lured away by higher salaries in private practice. Steele called the legislation a “game-changer,” as it would provide much-needed resources to hire and retain skilled prosecutors, benefiting the entire justice system.
The HIRRE Prosecutors Act would allocate $10 million annually in competitive grants to help district attorney offices nationwide. This funding would be used to hire, train, and retain prosecutors, modeled after the successful COPS Hiring Program for local law enforcement.
The bill addresses a growing hiring crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, with some offices experiencing vacancy rates as high as 33 percent. In Pennsylvania, district attorneys report high job satisfaction but cite better pay, lower caseloads, and personal well-being as significant factors influencing their decisions to stay in their roles.
The endorsement of the HIRRE Act by the NDAA and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association highlights its broad support. The legislation promises to provide crucial assistance to local prosecutors, ensuring they have the resources needed to uphold the rule of law and protect public safety.
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