CT SB00364

Establishes a pilot program, effective October 1, 2017, to provide free legal counsel to indigent individuals in abuse relief proceedings under Connecticut General Statutes section 46b-15.

Division of Public Defender Services shall provide counsel to respondents, and contracted nonprofit legal service organizations shall provide counsel to applicants, with representation limited to the issue of whether relief from abuse shall be granted or denied.

Chief Court Administrator, in consultation with the Chief Public Defender and Attorney General, shall select at least three judicial districts to participate in the pilot program.

Participants must demonstrate indigency per section 51-297 of the general statutes and have proceedings pending in a selected judicial district; attorneys must establish training standards covering family violence, behavioral health, child development, educational disabilities, and cultural competency.

Funding of up to $1 million from settlement proceeds received by the Attorney General in fiscal year 2018 shall be allocated: $500,000 to the Public Defender Division and up to $500,000 to participating nonprofit organizations; a joint report on pilot program results and permanent program recommendations is due January 1, 2019.