CT SB00456

Establishes a grant program administered by a tax-exempt organization to provide free legal services to indigent individuals seeking restraining orders under section 46b-15, funded by interest earned on lawyers' client trust accounts.

Grants awarded to nonprofit legal service organizations must provide legal counsel for application preparation and representation throughout the restraining order process, including prehearing conferences and court hearings, to the extent practicable within funding.

Limits grants to five judicial districts (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Waterbury) with maximum grant amounts of $200,000 per district, except the district with the highest volume of restraining order applications may receive up to $400,000.

Requires grant recipients to verify indigency, maintain at least one qualified legal representative at courthouse during business hours, provide necessary forms, and track outcomes and legal services provided.

Appropriates $1.25 million to the administering organization for fiscal years ending June 30, 2021 and 2022, with no more than 5 percent of funds usable for administrative costs and analysis of program impact.