Massachusetts S 905: An Act to eliminate the public counsel fee

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1427 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 905

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael J. Barrett
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to eliminate the public counsel fee.
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PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS:
Michael J. Barrett Third Middlesex

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1427 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 905
By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 905) of Michael J. Barrett for
legislation to eliminate the public counsel fee. The Judiciary.

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 911 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act to eliminate the public counsel fee.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Subsection (f) of section 2A of chapter 211D of the General Laws is hereby
2 amended by striking out in the first two sentences, each time it appears, the figure “$150” and
3 inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $100.
4 SECTION 2. Said subsection (f) of said section 2A of said chapter 211D is hereby further
5 amended by striking out in the first two sentences, each time it appears, the figure “$100” and
6 inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $50.
7 SECTION 3. Said section 2A of said chapter 211D is hereby further amended by striking
8 out subsection (f), and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
9 (f) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no person determined to
10 be indigent shall be assessed a counsel fee.

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11 SECTION 4. Section 1 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
12 SECTION 5. Section 2 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
13 SECTION 6. Section 3 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 2027.