From Shantelle Gaynor: HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. The money in this new account will be statutorily appropriated to the MT Office of the Court Administrator, who will distribute the money to various nonprofit organizations that provide or fund legal services for low-income people. The legal services would not necessarily be domestic and sexual violence-related, but would assist low-income Montanans. Our clients would benefit from this.
HB 46 would raise the filing fees for general civil actions in district court to match the filing fee now required for a marriage dissolution action. It also would increase fees for a defendant’s appearance and for filing foreign judgments, which haven’t been raised for nearly 30 years. HB 46 would not change filing fees for probate, adoption, divorce, separation, or parenting plans, or the cost of court searches, certificates, or copies. It would not add any fees, fines, or surcharges in any criminal cases.
If this bill passes, the Court Administrator’s office at the Supreme Court of Montana will create rules and oversight as to which nonprofit organizations can apply for the funds, and how they can do so.
Sent to MC Representatives on the House floor Friday: Representatives, Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, being heard on the House floor this afternoon, and thanks Representative Dudik for carrying this legislation. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need. Please support HB 46. Respectfully, Vickie Zeier on behalf of the Missoula County Commission Vickie Zeier Missoula County Chief Administrative Officer vzeier@missoulacounty.us (406) 258-4229
Sending the following this afternoon: Representatives Dudik, Hopkins, Ryan, and Tschida,
Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, before House Appropriations this afternoon, and thanks Representative Dudik for carrying this legislation. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need. Please support HB 46.
Senators Fielder and Sands, Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, being heard in Senate Judiciary tomorrow morning. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need. Please support HB 46.
Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, being heard on the Senate floor this morning. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need.
The Montana Association of Clerks of District Court does not have any concerns with this bill and has chosen to remain neutral.
ReplyDeleteFrom Shantelle Gaynor: HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. The money in this new account will be statutorily appropriated to the MT Office of the Court Administrator, who will distribute the money to various nonprofit organizations that provide or fund legal services for low-income people. The legal services would not necessarily be domestic and sexual violence-related, but would assist low-income Montanans. Our clients would benefit from this.
ReplyDeleteHB 46 would raise the filing fees for general civil actions in district court to match the filing fee now required for a marriage dissolution action. It also would increase fees for a defendant’s appearance and for filing foreign judgments, which haven’t been raised for nearly 30 years. HB 46 would not change filing fees for probate, adoption, divorce, separation, or parenting plans, or the cost of court searches, certificates, or copies. It would not add any fees, fines, or surcharges in any criminal cases.
If this bill passes, the Court Administrator’s office at the Supreme Court of Montana will create rules and oversight as to which nonprofit organizations can apply for the funds, and how they can do so.
Sent to MC Representatives on the House floor Friday:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives,
Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, being heard on the House floor this afternoon, and thanks Representative Dudik for carrying this legislation. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need. Please support HB 46.
Respectfully,
Vickie Zeier on behalf of the Missoula County Commission
Vickie Zeier
Missoula County
Chief Administrative Officer
vzeier@missoulacounty.us
(406) 258-4229
Sending the following this afternoon:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Dudik, Hopkins, Ryan, and Tschida,
Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, before House Appropriations this afternoon, and thanks Representative Dudik for carrying this legislation. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need. Please support HB 46.
Sending the following Thursday (4/6) at 9 a.m.:
ReplyDeleteSenators Fielder and Sands,
Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, being heard in Senate Judiciary tomorrow morning. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need.
Please support HB 46.
Sent this morning(4/13) at 8:20am:
ReplyDeleteSenators,
Missoula County supports HB 46 – Generally revising funding for civil legal aid, being heard on the Senate floor this morning. HB 46 funds legal aid programs for low-income Montanans by increasing some civil court filing fees and placing the funds in a special revenue account. Access to legal aid is the single largest determinant of whether a victim of domestic abuse can successfully leave a violent relationship. Their needs range from help with divorces and child custody to ensuring that their finances are secure from an abusive partner. Legal services are also the largest gap in services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is an area of significant need.
Please support HB 46.