5023-S AMH GOOD TANG 118

SSB 5023 - H AMD TO JUDI COMM AMD (H-2272.1/11) 576

By Representative Goodman

ADOPTED 04/07/2011

    On page 5, after line 21 of the amendment, insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8.  (1)(a) The legislature recognizes that immigrants in Washington need legal services to assist them in immigration matters, and it is difficult for existing organizations to meet those needs because of high case loads and limited resources.   

    (b) The legislature also recognizes that the difference between offering nonlegal services and offering legal services in immigration matters is sometimes difficult to distinguish.  Not understanding or recognizing the distinction between nonlegal services and legal services in immigration matters can result in a person engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and can result in irreparable consequences for immigrants who seek assistance.

    (2) Therefore, the legislature respectfully requests that the supreme court's practice of law board, within available resources, evaluate the following:

    (a) The specific services nonattorneys may provide to immigrants that do not rise to the level of the practice of law in immigration matters;

    (b) The level of access to and the quality of nonlegal and legal services immigrants have and the ways in which access and quality can be improved;

    (c) The level of need immigrants have for nonlegal services compared to the need for legal services in immigration matters.

    (3) A report of the board's findings and recommendations must be presented to the legislature no later than December 1, 2011."

    Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

EFFECT:  Requests the state Supreme Court's Practice of Law Board to evaluate: (1) the specific services nonattorneys may provide to immigrants that do not rise to the level of the practice of law; (2) the level of access to those services and quality of those services; and (3) the level of need for nonlegal services compared to legal services in immigration matters.  Requires a report of the Board's findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2011. 

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