| Last Action | 03/06/26: 3rd reading, passed 91-0 with Floor Amendment (1) |
|---|---|
| Title | AN ACT relating to legal representation. |
| Bill Documents |
Current
Introduced |
| Fiscal Impact Statements |
Corrections Impact
Local Mandate |
| Bill Request Number | 4 |
| Sponsors | S. Dietz, J. Petrie, B. Chester-Burton |
| Summary of Original Version | Amend KRS 31.010 and 31.020 to make technical corrections; amend KRS 31.030 to require the annual report filed by the Department of Public Advocacy to inform the LRC and the public of the work of all divisions of the department; amend KRS 31.110 to provide that the Department shall provide legal representation to a person who is accused of being in contempt of court for noncompliance with a court-ordered obligation only when the obligation arises out of a criminal prosecution or conviction or an action or adjudication for a public or status offense; create a new section of KRS Chapter 31 to provide that the Department of Public Advocacy shall not be appointed by a court to provide legal representation unless specifically authorized by KRS 31.110; amend KRS 31.211 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall forward all information that indicates payment or reimbursement for services to the public advocate; amend KRS 31.215 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall not accept fees for legal representation; create an exception for unsolicited gifts of de minimis value; amend KRS 31.219 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall file a notice of appeal after trial if requested by his or her client; amend KRS 202A.121 to provide that an attorney appointed under KRS Chapter 202A shall be paid a fee fixed by the court not to exceed $500; direct the secretary of the Personnel Cabinet to work with the Department of Public Advocacy to develop and implement a new classification series for Department of Public Advocacy Trial Attorneys; make technical corrections. |
| Index Headings of Original Version |
Attorneys - Appointment of Department of Public Advocacy, specific cases Attorneys - Attorney providing representation under contract, Department of Public Advocacy, duties Attorneys - Petitions under KRS Chapter 202A, appointment of counsel Courts - Appointment of Department of Public Advocacy, specific cases Courts - Petitions under KRS Chapter 202A, appointment of counsel Mental Health - Petitions under KRS Chapter 202A, appointment of counsel Public Advocate - Appointment of Department of Public Advocacy, specific cases Public Advocate - Department of Public Advocacy, attorney providing representation under contract, duties Public Advocate - Personnel Cabinet, coordinate with Department of Public Advocacy, classification, salaries Reports Mandated - Department of Public Advocacy, annual report State Agencies - Personnel Cabinet, coordinate with Department of Public Advocacy, classification, salaries |
| Jump to Proposed Amendments | House Floor Amendment 1 |
| Votes | Vote History |
| 02/26/26 |
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| 03/02/26 |
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| 03/04/26 |
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| 03/05/26 |
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| 03/06/26 |
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| Amendment | House Floor Amendment 1 |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | S. Dietz |
| Summary | Retain original provisions, except allow for all classified attorneys within the Department of Public Advocacy be eligible for reclassification. |
| Index Headings |
Public Advocate - Department of Public Advocacy, classification of attorneys, salaries State Agencies - Department of Public Advocacy, classification of attorneys, salaries |
Last updated: 3/6/2026 4:40 PM (EST)