By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate,
No. 962) of Richard T. Moore for legislation to require
verification of eligibility for taxpayer assumption of
court costs as an indigent person. The Judiciary. |
By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate,
No. 962) of Richard T. Moore for legislation to require
verification of eligibility for taxpayer assumption of
court costs as an indigent person. The Judiciary. |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 27A of chapter 261of the general laws as most recently appearing in the 2000 Official Edition is hereby amended, by inserting after the word “clothing” in clause (c) the following:
provided, however, that an independent credit check is completed that verifies the person’s inability to contribute all or a portion of the costs through a personal loan, home equity loan or other means,
SECTION 2. Section 6 of chapter 211D of the general laws as most recently appearing in the 2000 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting in subsection (a) after the words, “criminal defendants,” the following,
provided, however, that an independent credit check is completed that verifies the person’s inability to contribute all or a portion of the costs through a personal loan, home equity loan or other means,
SECTION 3. The chief administrative justice of the trial court of the commonwealth is hereby authorized and directed to establish from time to time a fair and equitable standard for the determination of the provision of free or reduced cost legal representation of persons claiming to be indigent and unable to afford legal representation.
SECTION 4. All monies received by the Judicial Branch as reimbursement, in whole or in part, for costs of legal representation shall be deposited in a fund within the office of the chief administrative justice of the trial court for disbursement without further appropriation for expenses of the Judicial Branch, provided however, that such fund shall be subject to audit by the State Auditor, which shall be public record.
