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 |
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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. |