CT SB00377

Establishes a legal aid program administered by the Judicial Branch to provide grants to tax-exempt charitable organizations for legal counsel to unaccompanied minors and children under 18 with no lawful immigration status in removal proceedings at the Connecticut Executive Office for Immigration Review, effective July 1, 2020.

Legal counsel funded by grants shall assist with representation in removal proceedings, family reunification or placement with a sponsor for detained children, and applications for temporary or permanent immigration status.

Allocates $800,000 annually from the Office of the Attorney General (from settlement moneys) to the Judicial Branch for the legal aid program beginning in fiscal year 2020-2021.

Requires the Judicial Branch to submit annual reports by December 31, 2021 and thereafter detailing grant amounts, number of clients served, cases opened and disposed, family reunifications assisted, and clients obtaining immigration status.

Establishes a task force (effective immediately) to study unmet legal needs of indigent residents in removal proceedings and available delivery mechanisms, with a report due by December 31, 2021, after which the task force terminates.