California 2017-2018 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 3204 — Attorneys: mandatory pro bono legal service.

Last action — In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

The State Bar Act provides for the licensure and regulation of attorneys by the State Bar of California, a public corporation governed by a board of trustees. The act provides that it has been the tradition of those learned in the law and licensed to practice law in this state to provide voluntary pro bono legal services to those who cannot afford the help of a lawyer and further provides that every lawyer authorized and privileged to practice law in California is expected to make a contribution, whether by directly providing pro bono legal services or, if that is not feasible, by providing financial support to organizations providing free legal services to persons of limited means, as specified. The State Bar Act also requires the State Bar to collect and distribute certain funds from Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts to expand and improve the quality of existing free legal services in civil matters to indigent persons. This bill would require each member of the State Bar to annually complete a minimum of 25 hours of pro bono legal service, as defined. The bill would create an exception to that requirement for acting judges, inactive members, members currently working for a legal aid organization, members who earned less than a certain amount the previous year, and members who are newly admitted to the State Bar, as specified. The bill would also permit a member, as an alternative to providing the 25 hours of pro bono legal service, to contribute $500 per year to the State Bar to support legal services to indigent persons, as specified. The bill would require a member to, upon completion of the pro bono legal service requirement, submit a form, as approved by the State Bar, describing the nature and dates of pro bono legal service and the number of hours completed. The bill would also define various terms for these purposes.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

1 line(s) added, 1 removed.

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Action History

  1. In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  2. In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  3. Referred to Com. on JUD.

  4. From printer. May be heard in committee March 19.

  5. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

  • Gray · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Gray

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 3204 do?
The State Bar Act provides for the licensure and regulation of attorneys by the State Bar of California, a public corporation governed by a board of trustees. The act provides that it has been the tradition of those learned in the law and licensed to practice law in this state to provide voluntary pro bono legal services to those who cannot afford the help of a lawyer and further provides that every lawyer authorized and privileged to practice law in California is expected to make a contribution, whether by directly providing pro bono legal services or, if that is not feasible, by providing financial support to organizations providing free legal services to persons of limited means, as specified. The State Bar Act also requires the State Bar to collect and distribute certain funds from Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts to expand and improve the quality of existing free legal services in civil matters to indigent persons. This bill would require each member of the State Bar to annually complete a minimum of 25 hours of pro bono legal service, as defined. The bill would create an exception to that requirement for acting judges, inactive members, members currently working for a legal aid organization, members who earned less than a certain amount the previous year, and members who are newly admitted to the State Bar, as specified. The bill would also permit a member, as an alternative to providing the 25 hours of pro bono legal service, to contribute $500 per year to the State Bar to support legal services to indigent persons, as specified. The bill would require a member to, upon completion of the pro bono legal service requirement, submit a form, as approved by the State Bar, describing the nature and dates of pro bono legal service and the number of hours completed. The bill would also define various terms for these purposes.
Who sponsors AB 3204?
AB 3204 is sponsored by Gray.
What is the current status of AB 3204?
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 3204?
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