Minneslate Logo

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 proposes modifications to the structure, governance, and employment terms of the Statewide Office of Appellate Counsel and Training and the State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training in Minnesota. Key provisions include:

  1. Establishment & Responsibilities

    • The Statewide Office of Appellate Counsel and Training is confirmed as an independent state agency within the executive branch.
    • Its main duties include providing appellate legal representation to parents in juvenile protection cases (including Tribal court jurisdictions), training attorneys, and coordinating federal funding (Title IV-E) with counties and Tribes.

  2. Board Structure & Membership Rules

    • The State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training will oversee the office, consisting of seven members:
      • Four public members appointed by the governor (including one from a federally recognized Indian Tribe).
      • Three members appointed by the state supreme court (including at least one attorney who has represented parents in juvenile court).
    • Restrictions are placed on board membership, prohibiting judges, lobbyists, guardians ad litem, child counsel, and certain government employees from serving.

  3. Leadership & Employment Structure

    • Head Appellate Counsel for Parents: Appointed by the board for a four-year term, can be removed only for cause, must be a full-time attorney, and cannot practice general law while serving.
    • The office will also employ assistant appellate attorneys, independent contractors, and administrative staff (e.g., managing attorney, director of training, program administrator).
    • Salaries for attorneys and staff will be set by the board and aligned with those of county attorneys or state employee compensation plans.

Overall, the bill aims to enhance the function and financial sustainability of appellate representation for parents in juvenile protection cases by refining governance, employment policies, and funding coordination.

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

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

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies governance of the State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training with reference to section 15.0575 regarding board member management."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill refers to the terms, compensation, and removal of board members as provided in section 15.0575.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "15.0575"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Aligns compensation settings for appellate counsel with existing legal standards in 43A.18."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill discusses the compensation of the head appellate counsel in relation to county attorneys, referencing section 43A.18.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "43A.18"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provides framework for appellate representation in alignment with juvenile protection provisions in 260C.163."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Mentions appellate representation for parents in juvenile cases as provided in section 260C.163.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260C.163"
  }
]

Sponsors