Bills re civil representation of indigent persons

SB 5685 and SHB 1747 would change create a new agency to oversee legal aid. Currently administration and oversight of state civil legal aid funding is performed by the executive branch Department of Community Trade and Economic Development. A newly created office in the judicial branch -- the Office of Civil Legal Aid -- would coordinate legal aid services with other justice system functions.

Testifying in support of the bills were Patrick McIntyre, the executive director of Northwest Justice Project, and Sandi Swarthout, of the Equal Justice Coaltion.

Categories: access-to-justice, legislation, Northwest-Justice-Project, Equal-Justice-Coalition