Bill Text: TX HB3429 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to access to justice courts by legal aid offices or other providers of pro bono legal services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-16 - Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence [HB3429 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3429-Introduced.html
  88R12865 AMF-F
 
  By: Bryant H.B. No. 3429
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to access to justice courts by legal aid offices or other
  providers of pro bono legal services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 27, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 27.007 to read as follows:
         Sec. 27.007.  ACCESS TO JUSTICE COURTS FOR PROVISION OF PRO
  BONO LEGAL SERVICES. On request of a legal aid office or other
  provider of pro bono legal services, each justice of the peace shall
  permit one or more representatives of the office or provider to be
  present in the justice court, including during in-person or remote
  proceedings, to conduct intakes or provide information, referrals,
  or other legal services to eligible litigants.
         SECTION 2.  Section 38.12, Penal Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (h-1) to read as follows:
         (h-1)  It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (d)
  that the attorney is engaged in conduct authorized under Section
  27.007, Government Code.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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