Bill Text - HB353 (2019)

Establishing a committee to study whether non-attorney legal professionals could be licensed to engage in the limited practice of law in the family division of the circuit court while under the supervision of a licensed attorney.


Revision: Dec. 31, 2018, 12:59 p.m.

HB 353 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2019 SESSION

19-0728

04/08

 

HOUSE BILL 353

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study whether non-attorney legal professionals could be licensed to engage in the limited practice of law in the family division of the circuit court while under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Gordon, Graf. 9

 

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to study whether non-attorney legal professionals could be licensed to engage in the limited practice of law in the family division of the circuit court while under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19-0728

04/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study whether non-attorney legal professionals could be licensed to engage in the limited practice of law in the family division of the circuit court while under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to study whether non-attorney legal professionals could be licensed to engage in the limited practice of law in the family division of the circuit court while under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

2  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3  Duties.  

I.  The committee shall study:

(a)  The ability of New Hampshire citizens to obtain affordable legal services.

(b)  The extent that New Hampshire citizens are unrepresented in family law proceedings and the impact this has on the circuit court and the legal profession

(c)  The American Bar Association's model regulatory objectives for the provision of legal services.

(d)  The qualifications and training which would be required for non-attorney legal professionals.

(e)  The need for any licensing requirements for non-attorney legal professionals.

II.  In conducting its investigation, the committee shall solicit the input of:

(a)  The New Hampshire judicial system, especially the circuit court family division.

(b)  The New Hampshire Bar Association.

(c)  Any other individual or organization with information relevant to the committee's study.

4  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  

5  Report.  The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2019.

6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.