WA SJM8006

Petitions the Washington State Supreme Court to reverse its June 5, 2020 decision to sunset the limited license legal technician (LLLT) program and resume issuing new licenses to qualified candidates

Requests expansion of the LLLT program within one year to include administrative hearings assistance and eviction/debt assistance, as recommended by the LLLT board in 2020

Calls for creation of a work group to study using LLLTs to assist individuals charged with offenses in courts of limited jurisdiction, with recommendations due within two years

Cites a shortage of attorneys for public defense, prosecution, and civil legal services for low and moderate-income Washingtonians as justification for reinstating the program

Notes the LLLT program, established in 2012 with first graduates in 2014, has served as a national model adopted by Arizona, Minnesota, Oregon, and Utah