Amendment #1630 to H5500

CPCS Private Bar Compensation

Mrs. Mendes of Brockton moves to amend the bill by inserting the following sections: -

SECTION X. Subsection (a) of section 11 of chapter 211D of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (1) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

(a)(1) The rates of compensation payable to all counsel, who are appointed or assigned to represent indigents within the private counsel division of the committee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 6, shall, subject to appropriation, be as follows: for homicide cases the rate of compensation shall be $155 per hour; for superior court non-homicide cases, including sexually dangerous person cases, the rate of compensation shall be $120 per hour; for district court cases and children in need of services cases the rate of compensation shall be $100 per hour; for children and family law cases and care and protection cases the rate of compensation shall be $120 per hour; for sex offender registry cases and mental health cases the rate of compensation shall be $100 per hour. These rates of compensation shall be reviewed periodically at public hearings held by the committee at appropriate locations throughout the commonwealth, and notice shall be given to all state, county and local bar associations and other interested groups, of such hearings by letter and publication in advance of such hearings. This periodic review shall take place not less than once every 3 years.

SECTION X. Section X shall take effect on August 1, 2027.