Bill Text: MS HB668 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Termination of parental rights; authorize an attorney for indigent parents during.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Failed) 2016-02-23 - Died In Committee [HB668 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HB668-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Frierson
House Bill 668
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT AN ATTORNEY MAY BE APPOINTED FOR INDIGENT PARENTS DURING A TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS PROCEEDING IN YOUTH COURT OR CHANCERY COURT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 23-15-122, Mississippi Code of 1972:
23-15-122. (1) In any proceeding regarding the termination of parental rights, the youth court or chancery court, whichever is applicable, may appoint an attorney that meets the requirements of this section to represent indigent parents during such proceeding, if the court finds that such parents are unable to afford the cost of legal representation.
(2) In order to be appointed as an attorney under subsection (1) of this section, an attorney must have received appropriate training provided by or approved by the Mississippi Judicial College within the year immediately preceding such appointment.
(3) The Mississippi Judicial College shall determine the amount of training which shall be satisfactory to fulfill the requirements of the section. The Administrative Office of Courts shall maintain a roll of all attorneys eligible to be appointed by the courts as an attorney for the parents in youth court proceedings or chancery court proceedings involving termination of parental rights under this section and shall enforce the provision of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.
