Bill Text: VA HB1779 | 2015 | Regular Session | Prefiled

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Bill Title: Civil commitment proceedings; fees and compensation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-02-10 - Left in Appropriations [HB1779 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2015-HB1779-Prefiled.html

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15102142D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1779 Offered January 14, 2015 Prefiled January 13, 2015 A BILL to amend and reenact §19.2-182 of the Code of Virginia, relating to civil commitment hearings; fees; compensation. ---------- Patron-- Leftwich ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §19.2-182 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§19.2-182. Representation by counsel in proceeding for commitment.

A. In any proceeding for commitment under this title, the judge before whom or upon whose order the proceeding is being held, shall ascertain if the person whose commitment is sought is represented by counsel. If the person is not represented by counsel, the judge shall appoint an attorney at law to represent him such person in the proceeding. The attorney shall receive a fee of twenty-five dollars $75 for his services, to be paid by the Commonwealth. However, an attorney appointed by a circuit court to represent an acquittee who was acquitted of a felony by reason of insanity in a hearing to assess the need for inpatient hospitalization pursuant to §19.2-182.5 shall be compensated on an hourly basis at a rate set by the Supreme Court of Virginia, provided such total compensation shall not exceed $445, to be paid by the Commonwealth.

B. Any attorney representing any person in any proceeding for commitment under this title shall, prior to such proceeding, personally consult with such person.