Bill > LD1175

This bill clarifies and standardizes the payment of legal counsel for indigent parents and minors across various legal proceedings in Maine. Specifically, the bill amends multiple sections of Maine law to establish that the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services (MCPDS) will be responsible for paying the reasonable costs and expenses of court-appointed attorneys in cases involving indigent parties. These cases include civil matters where representation is discretionary, guardianship proceedings, adoption cases, parental rights termination hearings, and child welfare cases. The bill ensures that when a court determines an indigent parent, minor, or guardian needs legal representation and appoints an attorney, the MCPDS will cover the attorney's costs. This change helps to ensure that individuals who cannot afford legal representation have access to counsel in sensitive legal proceedings that may significantly impact their family relationships and personal rights. The bill standardizes this payment process across different types of legal proceedings, creating a more consistent approach to providing legal representation for those who cannot afford it.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1175&snum=132