§ 9-27-403 — Dependency-neglect attorney contracts

(a) The Division of Dependency-Neglect Representation may enter into a professional services contract with a qualified attorney who: (1) Has previously been employed as an attorney by the state before being appointed to provide representation in dependency-neglect cases by a circuit court; or (2) (A) Is serving as a part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney when the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney has been appointed to provide dependency-neglect services by a circuit court. (B) The part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney is eligible for additional compensation that shall not be construed as exceeding the line item maximum for the grade of the part-time public defender's or other part-time state employee's position when the division reimburses the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney for dependency-neglect representation services performed. (b) This section does not prevent the division from otherwise contracting with any qualified attorney in the state for dependency-neglect cases.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 122,§ 34, eff. 7/1/2023.