HI HB1531

Establishes the Public Service Legal Loan Repayment Assistance Program to provide grants for law school loan repayment to attorneys working in public service positions that provide legal assistance to indigent persons through nonprofit organizations in Hawaii.

Program jointly administered by the Hawaii Justice Foundation and William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii, with an advisory board including representatives from the Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, and other entities.

Maximum assistance of $10,000 per year per participant, with cumulative lifetime limit of $50,000, adjusted for inflation; participants must maintain minimum 2-year service obligation in eligible employment.

Participants must contribute at least 5% of gross monthly income toward loan repayment and must first exhaust other loan assistance sources from employers, educational institutions, and federal programs before applying.

Creates a self-sustaining Public Service Legal Loan Repayment Assistance Fund in the state treasury, funded by legislative appropriations and private contributions; fund managed by comptroller with direction from administering entities.