74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 1202
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         Senate Bill 411
                  Ordered by the Senate April 2
            Including Senate Amendments dated April 2
 
Sponsored by Senators BROWN, KRUSE, Representatives KRIEGER,
  SCHAUFLER
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Appropriates money from General Fund to Public Defense Services
Commission for improving legal representation of parents and
children in dependency cases.
  Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2007.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to appointment of counsel in dependency cases;
  appropriating money; and declaring an emergency.
  Whereas improving parents' and children's legal representation
in dependency cases increases the percentage of children returned
to parents and to a safe environment; and
  Whereas improving parents' and children's legal representation
in dependency cases reduces the lengths of children's stays in
foster care; and
  Whereas improving parents' and children's legal representation
in dependency cases increases stable placements for children,
including placements with their relatives; and
  Whereas improving parents' and children's legal representation
in dependency cases reduces delays in the judicial system through
a reduction in the number of continuances, a focus on relevant
issues and early adjudications and placements; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + In addition to and not in lieu of any other
appropriation, there is appropriated to the Public Defense
Services Commission, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2007, out
of the General Fund, the amount of $23 million for the purpose of
improving legal representation for parents and children in
dependency cases, including, but not limited to, improving
training, support and other resources to support court-appointed
counsel. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + This 2007 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2007 Act takes effect July 1,
2007. + }
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