2012 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 5 - COURTS
CHAPTER 2 - SUPREME COURT
5-2-122. Indigent civil legal services program created; purposes.

(a) An indigent civil legal services program is created to be operated in accordance with the following:

(i) The supreme court shall develop a comprehensive plan for funding a statewide program of civil legal services to the indigent from the account. By November 1, 2010 and again by May 1, 2011, the court shall submit to the joint appropriations interim committee and the joint judiciary interim committee reports on the plan of operation for the program;

(ii) The supreme court may operate the program directly, or contract with a nonprofit organization to operate the program;

(iii) The court shall adopt rules and regulations for the program prior to implementation subject to the following:

(A) In adopting rules and regulations governing the program the court shall set the following priorities, which are not intended to be exclusive, but to provide direction on the management and operation of the program:

(I) Cases in which an indigent individual is a defendant in a lawsuit;

(II) Cases in which an indigent individual is seeking to enforce a court order;

(III) Cases involving domestic relations and family law;

(IV) Matters involving general legal advice to indigent individuals.

(B) In adopting rules and regulations governing the program, the court shall prohibit the program from providing legal representation in the following areas:

(I) Cases seeking tort damages;

(II) Criminal defense;

(III) Cases against public agencies or political subdivisions seeking to change or overturn existing rules, regulations and policies. This prohibition shall not limit the program's ability to represent indigent individuals who are seeking benefits that may be owed them by public entities.

(iv) The rules shall establish eligibility standards for the receipt of services. The eligibility standards shall require that civil legal services be funded from the account only for individuals whose total household income does not exceed two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level;

(v) The program shall be operated in coordination with other publicly or privately funded programs providing civil legal services to the indigent with a goal of developing an integrated system for the delivery of indigent civil legal services on a statewide basis by July 1, 2011;

(vi) The program shall be coordinated with the Wyoming state bar and other entities on private attorney involvement, pro bono civil legal services and educational programs;

(vii) For funding under the program, the program shall establish a statewide single point of entry for indigent civil legal services or establish other operations that allow for simplified and easily available access to the program;

(viii) The program may grant funds to existing eligible programs to assist in providing civil legal services and may be used to enhance the civil legal services that the existing programs are providing;

(ix) The program may receive grants and donations which shall be deposited to the account;

(x) The program shall establish uniform standards for the delivery of civil legal services and operate programmatic and fiscal management programs to ensure accountability for all funds.