Bill > HF1862

This bill modifies the organization and structure of the Statewide Office of Appellate Counsel and Training, which provides legal representation and support for parents in juvenile protection cases. The bill changes the office from an independent state office to an agency in the executive branch, and updates the composition and selection process for its governing State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training. The board will now consist of seven members (four appointed by the governor and three by the supreme court), with specific restrictions on who can serve, such as excluding judges, lobbyists, and those directly involved in child welfare services. The bill also revises the employment terms and roles within the office, including the appointment of a head appellate counsel who will serve a four-year term and be responsible for hiring assistant appellate counsel and other key staff positions. Additionally, the bill modifies salary-setting procedures, shifting from being commensurate with county attorneys to being determined by state management and budget guidelines, and clarifies the employment status of different staff members (with attorneys serving at the pleasure of the head appellate counsel and other employees serving in the classified service). The goal is to create a more structured and efficient system for providing high-quality legal representation to parents in juvenile protection proceedings.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1862&ssn=0&y=2025