Maine § 4 §18-A Maine Civil Legal Services Fund established

Maine Statutes

§ 4 §18-A — Maine Civil Legal Services Fund established

Maine·Title 4 JUDICIARY·Ch. 1 SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT

1.Creation of fund. The Maine Civil Legal Services Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established as a nonlapsing fund to support civil legal services to persons who otherwise are not able to pay for these services.

2.Administration. The Supreme Judicial Court, or a person or organization designated by the court, is the administrator and shall administer the fund. The administrator shall disburse funds according to determinations made by the commission established in subsection 6. The administrator shall report at least annually to the Legislature on the previous year's income and expenditures.

3.Contribution. 3-A. Funding. Funding for the fund may be provided by the following methods.

4.Other funds. The fund may receive money from any source, including grants, gifts,

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1.
Creation of fund.
The Maine Civil Legal Services Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established as a nonlapsing fund to support civil legal services to persons who otherwise are not able to pay for these services.
2.
Administration.
The Supreme Judicial Court, or a person or organization designated by the court, is the administrator and shall administer the fund. The administrator shall disburse funds according to determinations made by the commission established in subsection 6. The administrator shall report at least annually to the Legislature on the previous year's income and expenditures.
3.
Contribution.
3-A.
Funding.
Funding for the fund may be provided by the following methods.
4.
Other funds.
The fund may receive money from any source, including grants, gifts, bequests and donations. Funds appropriated and money received for the benefit of the fund must be deposited to the fund.
5.
Allocation.
6.
Distribution of funds.
The Supreme Judicial Court shall appoint the Civil Legal Services Fund Commission, consisting of 3 persons knowledgeable about the problems of ensuring access to justice in this State, to determine how to distribute the funds in accordance with subsection 1 in a manner that will most efficiently and effectively maintain and enhance access to justice in this State. The commission shall review the allocation at least every 4 years or on the request of any member of the commission and shall make adjustments to the allocation when appropriate. Funds must be distributed at least quarterly with the first distribution occurring no later than January 2, 1998. The commission shall compile information on the types of cases handled by recipient organizations and shall report this information and its allocation decisions to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters no later than February 1, 1999.