|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
780 |
|
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LEGAL SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 28-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§28-10
Prohibition on private practice of law by the attorney general, first deputy,
and other deputies. (a) The attorney general, the attorney
general's first deputy, and other deputies shall devote their entire time and
attention to the duties of their respective offices. They shall not engage in
the private practice of law, [nor] or accept any fees or
emoluments other than their official salaries for any legal services[.];
except that, a deputy, other than the attorney general's first deputy, may
provide pro bono legal services in the sole discretion of the attorney
general. In exercising the discretion to allow a deputy to provide pro bono
legal services, the attorney general may consider, among other things, whether
the pro bono representation might:
(1) Create the appearance of a conflict of interest within the department of the attorney general;
(2) Cast the department of the attorney general in a poor light;
(3) Create undue burdens within the department of the attorney general; or
(4) Otherwise interfere with or impede with the mission of the department of the attorney general.
Pro bono legal services provided by a deputy shall not be construed to create any client relationship, duty, or legal obligation between the recipient of the pro bono legal services and the department of the attorney general. Pro bono legal services provided by a deputy shall not be construed to disqualify, preclude, prevent, impair, or restrict in any manner, either directly or indirectly, the department of the attorney general from providing legal services or from fulfilling its duties as described in section 26-7, chapter 28, or as otherwise provided or mandated by law or practice.
(b) Any deputy attorney general who provides pro bono legal services shall be subject to all applicable rules prescribed by the supreme court pursuant to section 605-6.
(c) Any deputy attorney general who in good faith provides pro bono legal services shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from the deputy's acts or omissions. In no event shall the State be liable for any civil damages as may result from the deputy's provision of pro bono services.
(d) The provision of pro bono legal services by deputy attorneys general is declared to be for the public purpose and may be appropriately supported with the resources of the department of the attorney general, as determined by the attorney general.
(e) This section shall not apply to any special deputy employed on a part-time basis for a limited period."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Legal Services; Department of the Attorney General
Description:
Permits a deputy attorney general, except for the Attorney General's First Deputy, to provide pro bono legal services at the discretion of the Attorney General. (HB780 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.