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HF1862 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Statewide Office of Appellate Counsel and Training and State Board organization modified, and salary and employment terms of attorneys and other employees modified.

Related bill: SF2006

AI Generated Summary

This bill modifies the organization, structure, and employment terms of the Statewide Office of Appellate Counsel and Training and the State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training in Minnesota. It makes key amendments to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260C.419 by:

  1. Establishing the Office as an independent state agency responsible for providing appellate representation to parents in juvenile protection cases, training parent attorneys, and coordinating federal funding opportunities.

  2. Reorganizing the Board that governs the office:

    • It will have seven members: four appointed by the governor and three by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
    • Certain individuals, such as judges, registered lobbyists, and government attorneys, are prohibited from serving.
    • The board must be diverse in terms of geography, political affiliation, and experience with juvenile protection law.

  3. Employment and Salary Changes:

    • The Head Appellate Counsel will be appointed for a four-year term and can only be removed for cause.
    • Additional employees include assistant appellate counsel, a managing appellate attorney, staff attorneys, a director of training, a program administrator for federal funding coordination, and an office administrator.
    • Compensation for appellate counsel and other employees will be comparable to county attorneys' salaries and follow state collective bargaining agreements.

This bill aims to enhance legal representation for parents in juvenile protection cases and strengthen training and funding coordination efforts.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 02, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law
March 02, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarified office responsibilities for appellate representation in juvenile protection matters and training standards for parent attorneys."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the establishment and responsibilities of the Statewide Office of Appellate Counsel and Training under section 260C.419, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Responsibilities now include coordination with Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families for federal Title IV-E funding."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260C.419",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirements for board member qualifications and restrictions on who can be appointed."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Removed restrictions related to political party affiliation to no more than specific numbers."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill updates the structure and membership requirements for the State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training under section 260C.419, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified terms and conditions regarding the representation experience required for board members."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260C.419",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New positions under the head appellate counsel, including managing appellate attorney and program administrator."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Modifications are made to the appointment and employment terms for head appellate counsel and other personnel under section 260C.419, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Updated compensation terms to align with county attorneys and collective bargaining agreements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260C.419",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Refers to salary setting standards for state positions under section 43A.18.",
      "modified": [
        "Aligns compensation of certain positions with those of county attorneys."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "43A.18",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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