Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB328 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HB328INTRODUCED
2	2	Page 0
3	3	HB328
4	4	Y8FK662-1
5	5	By Representative Almond
6	6	RFD: Military and Veterans Affairs
7	7	First Read: 25-Feb-25
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12	12	5 Y8FK662-1 02/25/2025 ZAK (L)ma 2025-186
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14	14	First Read: 25-Feb-25
15	15	SYNOPSIS:
16	16	This bill would establish and provide procedures
17	17	for the Alabama National Guard Legal Services Office,
18	18	including various positions within the office and
19	19	accompanying duties thereof.
20	20	This bill would establish and provide procedures
21	21	for the Alabama National Guard Legal Assistance
22	22	Program, including various positions within the office
23	23	and accompanying duties thereof.
24	24	This bill would also authorize judge advocates
25	25	and paralegals to perform notary acts under certain
26	26	circumstances.
27	27	A BILL
28	28	TO BE ENTITLED
29	29	AN ACT
30	30	Relating to the Alabama National Guard; to add Chapters
31	31	2B and 2C to Title 31 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to
32	32	establish and provide for the Alabama National Guard Legal
33	33	Services Office, including positions therein; to establish and
34	34	provide for the Alabama National Guard Legal Assistance
35	35	Program, including positions therein; and to authorize judge
36	36	advocates and paralegals to perform notary actions under
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66	66	advocates and paralegals to perform notary actions under
67	67	certain circumstances.
68	68	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
69	69	Section 1. Chapter 2B is added to Title 31 of the Code
70	70	of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
71	71	§31-2B-1.
72	72	This chapter establishes and defines the operational
73	73	procedures of the Alabama National Guard Legal Services
74	74	Office, including the office's composition, mission, and
75	75	functions; provides duties and explains policies, objectives,
76	76	and procedures for the development and maintenance of the
77	77	office; provides duties for the supervision, training,
78	78	employment, and administration of personnel; and provides
79	79	procedures for acquiring and maintaining office legal research
80	80	resources.
81	81	§31-2B-2.
82	82	This chapter applies to all judge advocates and
83	83	services and personnel thereof at all times, including during
84	84	federal service.
85	85	§31-2B-3.
86	86	(a) The Alabama National Guard and State Military
87	87	Department shall adopt Army Regulation 27-1 and Air Force
88	88	Instruction 51-304 as controlling when judge advocates are in
89	89	federal service and when not in federal service in an advisory
90	90	capacity.
91	91	(b) This chapter is supplemental and shall not be
92	92	construed to abrogate any duties, responsibilities, or
93	93	liabilities of judge advocates or legal services personnel.
94	94	§31-2B-4.
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124	124	§31-2B-4.
125	125	(a) The Legal Services Office shall be a joint office
126	126	shared by the Alabama Army and Air National Guard. There shall
127	127	be a state staff judge advocate for the Army National Guard
128	128	and for the Air National Guard.
129	129	(b) Each state staff judge advocate shall do all of the
130	130	following:
131	131	(1) Perform the duties as prescribed by the Adjutant
132	132	General and state and federal law.
133	133	(2) Serve as the primary legal adviser to the Adjutant
134	134	General regarding the State Military Department and all
135	135	officers and agencies of the department.
136	136	(3) Provide independent legal advice in coordination
137	137	with the Office of General Counsel and directly to the
138	138	Director of the Joint Staff, chief of staff of each service,
139	139	joint staff, and members of the Alabama National Guard,
140	140	generally.
141	141	(4) Provide legal advice in the following areas:
142	142	a. Military justice.
143	143	b. Administration and operation of State Military
144	144	Department.
145	145	c. Business, property, and financial operations under
146	146	the jurisdiction and authority of the State Military
147	147	Department and Armory Commission.
148	148	d. Administration, control, discipline, status, civil
149	149	relations, and activities of all State Military Department
150	150	personnel.
151	151	(5) Provide legal advice to the Adjutant General,
152	152	Director of the Joint Staff, chief of staff of each service,
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182	182	Director of the Joint Staff, chief of staff of each service,
183	183	and joint staff in all legal matters concerning the State
184	184	Military Department, including environmental law, labor and
185	185	civilian personnel law, contract law, and fiscal and tax law.
186	186	(6) Develop legal office management policies and
187	187	procedures to accomplish all legal services within the Alabama
188	188	National Guard.
189	189	(7) Direct the members of the Alabama National Guard
190	190	Judge Advocate General Corps in the performance of their
191	191	duties, including leading and managing all aspects of the
192	192	Legal Service Office.
193	193	(8) Exercise technical supervision over the delivery of
194	194	legal services in the Alabama Army and Air National Guard and
195	195	all legal services personnel under the authority of the
196	196	Adjutant General.
197	197	(9) Certify that all judge advocates are professionally
198	198	qualified and maintain the highest levels of ethical and moral
199	199	behavior and professional proficiency to perform legal duties.
200	200	(10) Manage the professional legal training within the
201	201	Alabama National Guard.
202	202	(11) Determine the requirements for the Alabama
203	203	National Guard's acquisition of legal research materials,
204	204	software, applications, and programs.
205	205	(12) Provide legal services to the Alabama National
206	206	Guard through the Legal Services Office and the Office of
207	207	General Counsel.
208	208	(13) Direct the delivery of Alabama Army and Air
209	209	National Guard legal services across a broad spectrum of legal
210	210	disciplines, including military justice, international and
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240	240	disciplines, including military justice, international and
241	241	operational law, administrative and civil law, contract and
242	242	fiscal law, claims, and legal assistance.
243	243	§31-2B-5.
244	244	(a) Under the direction of the Adjutant General and the
245	245	state staff judge advocates, the General Counsel shall do all
246	246	of the following:
247	247	(1) Advise and support the state staff judge advocates
248	248	on all judge advocate legal service matters.
249	249	(2) Advise the Adjutant General, State Military
250	250	Department, Governor, chiefs of staff of each service, and
251	251	Director of the Joint Staff, as necessary.
252	252	(3) Serve as Chief Information Officer for the Judge
253	253	Advocate General Counsel.
254	254	(4) Inspect, supervise, and manage judge advocate
255	255	activities as directed by the state staff judge advocates.
256	256	(5) Supervise all Alabama National Guard litigation and
257	257	appeals.
258	258	(6) Supervise and provide advice on all contract and
259	259	fiscal issues.
260	260	(7) Supervise and provide technical guidance regarding
261	261	military justice and administrative law.
262	262	(8) Supervise the Office of General Counsel, including
263	263	employment, professional responsibility, and office management
264	264	matters.
265	265	(9) Establish policy and operational guidance for all
266	266	aspects of the Legal Services Office.
267	267	(10) Supervise the Deputy General Counsel, associate
268	268	general counsels, deputy staff judge advocates, judge
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298	298	general counsels, deputy staff judge advocates, judge
299	299	advocates, all legal services personnel, and others who are
300	300	members of the Judge Advocate Legal Services Office to assist
301	301	the Office of General Counsel in supporting the state staff
302	302	judge advocates.
303	303	(b) The Office of General Counsel full-time staff shall
304	304	include a general counsel, deputy general counsel, chief
305	305	paralegal, and associate general counsels.
306	306	§31-2B-6.
307	307	The Deputy General Counsel shall do all of the
308	308	following:
309	309	(1) Serve as director for the Legal Services Office,
310	310	including military justice, legal assistance, administrative
311	311	law, contract and fiscal law, and any other services as
312	312	determined and delegated by a state staff judge advocate or
313	313	the Office of General Counsel.
314	314	(2) Coordinate and provide support for all legal
315	315	services throughout the Alabama National Guard and the State
316	316	Military Department under the direction of the state staff
317	317	judge advocates and the Office of General Counsel.
318	318	(3) Coordinate and support the Alabama National Guard
319	319	Army Soldier Readiness Program.
320	320	(4) Coordinate and provide support for all legal
321	321	services training in the Alabama National Guard.
322	322	(5) Coordinate and supervise all Alabama National Guard
323	323	preventative law publications.
324	324	(6) Provide advice and counsel to Alabama National
325	325	Guard SAPR/IPP Offices.
326	326	(7) Compile and publish the Alabama National Guard
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356	356	(7) Compile and publish the Alabama National Guard
357	357	Legal Services Manual upon approval by the state staff judge
358	358	advocates.
359	359	§31-2B-7.
360	360	The military justice associate general counsel shall do
361	361	all of the following:
362	362	(1) Serve as coordinator of all military justice
363	363	matters under the direction of the state staff judge advocates
364	364	and as delegated to the Office of General Counsel.
365	365	(2) Coordinate and provide support to the Chief of
366	366	Military Justice and all trial counsels and supporting staff.
367	367	(3) Provide and supervise all military justice training
368	368	throughout the Alabama National Guard.
369	369	(4) Compile and publish the Alabama Manual for
370	370	Court-Martial and any supporting state regulations and manuals
371	371	with advice and consent of the state staff judge advocates and
372	372	the Chief of Military Justice.
373	373	§31-2B-8.
374	374	The contract and fiscal law associate general counsel
375	375	shall do all of the following:
376	376	(1) Serve as coordinator of all contract and fiscal law
377	377	matters under the direction of the state staff judge advocates
378	378	and as delegated to the Office of General Counsel.
379	379	(2) Coordinate and provide support to the military
380	380	judge advocates assigned to contract and fiscal law sections.
381	381	(3) Provide and supervise all contract and fiscal law
382	382	training throughout the Alabama National Guard.
383	383	(4) Compile and publish the Alabama Manual for Contract
384	384	and Fiscal Law and any supporting rules and manuals with
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414	414	and Fiscal Law and any supporting rules and manuals with
415	415	advice and consent of the state staff judge advocates.
416	416	§31-2B-9.
417	417	The administrative and Civil Law Associate General
418	418	Counsel shall do all of the following:
419	419	(1) Serve as coordinator of all administrative and
420	420	civil law matters under the direction of the state staff judge
421	421	advocates and as delegated to the Office of General Counsel.
422	422	(2) Coordinate and provide support to the military
423	423	judge advocates assigned to administrative and civil law
424	424	sections.
425	425	(3) Provide and supervise all administrative and civil
426	426	law training throughout the Alabama National Guard.
427	427	(4) Compile and publish the Alabama Manual for
428	428	Administrative and Civil Law and any supporting rules and
429	429	manuals with advice and consent of the state staff judge
430	430	advocates.
431	431	§31-2B-10.
432	432	The Operational Law Associate General Counsel shall do
433	433	all of the following:
434	434	(1) Serve as coordinator of all operational law matters
435	435	under the direction of the state staff judge advocate and as
436	436	delegated to the Office of General Counsel.
437	437	(2) Coordinate and provide support to military judge
438	438	advocates assigned to administrative and civil law sections.
439	439	(3) Provide and supervise all military justice training
440	440	throughout the Alabama National Guard.
441	441	(4) Compile and publish the Alabama Manual for
442	442	Operational Law and any supporting rules and manuals with
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472	472	Operational Law and any supporting rules and manuals with
473	473	advice and consent of the state staff judge advocates.
474	474	§31-2B-11.
475	475	The Legal Assistance Associate General Counsel shall do
476	476	all of the following:
477	477	(1) Serve as coordinator of all legal assistance
478	478	matters under the direction of the state staff judge advocates
479	479	and as delegated to the Office of General Counsel.
480	480	(2) Coordinate and provide support to military judge
481	481	advocates assigned to legal services sections.
482	482	(3) Provide and supervise all legal assistance training
483	483	throughout the Alabama National Guard.
484	484	(4) Compile and publish the Alabama Manual for Legal
485	485	Assistance and any supporting rules and manuals with the
486	486	advice and consent of the state staff judge advocates.
487	487	§31-2B-12.
488	488	(a) Command, Wing, and Brigade Judge Advocates shall
489	489	provide legal services to Major Military Commands, including
490	490	MACOM, MAJCOM, and Wing in this state through legal offices
491	491	and legal sections headed by judge advocates within each
492	492	MACOM, MAJCOM, and Wing. Judge advocates shall be members of
493	493	MACOM, MAJCOM, and Wing Commanders' Staff and are designated
494	494	as supervisory judge advocates.
495	495	(b) A Supervisory Judge Advocate shall be a judge
496	496	advocate within an office or organization with authority over,
497	497	or responsibility for, the direction, coordination,
498	498	evaluation, or assignment of responsibilities and work of
499	499	subordinate lawyers, paralegals, and other non-lawyer
500	500	assistants within MACOM, MAJCOM, or Wing.
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530	530	assistants within MACOM, MAJCOM, or Wing.
531	531	(c) The supervisory judge advocates shall include the
532	532	Command Judge Advocate, Staff Judge Advocate, and the Brigade
533	533	Judge Advocate as determined by the placement.
534	534	(d) The Command Judge Advocate, Staff Judge Advocate,
535	535	and Brigade Judge Advocate shall do all of the following:
536	536	(1) Advise the commander regarding legal matters and
537	537	assist the commander in exercising his or her duties as a part
538	538	of the commander's personal staff, all under the management
539	539	and supervision of the respective state staff judge advocate.
540	540	(2) Assist the commander in identifying legal problems
541	541	and render legal advice in support of the commander's
542	542	decision-making process.
543	543	(3) Furnish legal advice, assistance, and support
544	544	across the broad spectrum of military, state, and federal
545	545	practice, including administrative law, claims, contract, and
546	546	fiscal law, international and operational law, and military
547	547	justice; provided, all legal assistance is reserved to the
548	548	Legal Services Office unless otherwise determined by a state
549	549	staff judge advocate.
550	550	(4) Be responsible for the efficient, effective, and
551	551	ethical delivery of legal services to his or her commanders
552	552	and commands.
553	553	(5) Create and maintain rating and supervisory chains
554	554	that comply with applicable Army standards and ensure
555	555	effective leadership of all legal personnel of the command
556	556	legal office.
557	557	(6) Ensure legal personnel are adequately trained to
558	558	accomplish the legal mission, including through local training
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588	588	accomplish the legal mission, including through local training
589	589	and through attendance at the Judge Advocate Center and School
590	590	courses, including that all judge advocate attorneys
591	591	accomplish continuing legal education required by the Alabama
592	592	State Bar.
593	593	(7) Appoint and assign duties of the chief paralegal,
594	594	trial counsel, and deputy command judge advocate, deputy staff
595	595	judge advocate, or deputy brigade judge advocate, as
596	596	appropriate, with consent of the state staff judge advocate.
597	597	(8) Maintain written standard office procedures and
598	598	annex to Operation Order for Command.
599	599	(9) Maintain proper written reports regarding
600	600	investigations, separations, and military justice as directed
601	601	by the Office of General Counsel and state staff judge
602	602	advocate.
603	603	(10) Publish an office SOP and OPORD Annex for their
604	604	respective commands.
605	605	§31-2B-13.
606	606	(a) In accordance with Army Regulation 27-1, all
607	607	paralegals and warrant officers are under the direction of a
608	608	state staff judge advocate with supervision delegated to each
609	609	Command Judge Advocate, Staff Judge Advocate, or Brigade Judge
610	610	Advocate, as appropriate.
611	611	(b) Unless directed otherwise by the state staff judge
612	612	advocate, all paralegals and warrant officers shall perform
613	613	only legal professional duties as outlined in their respective
614	614	legal service regulations.
615	615	§31-2B-14.
616	616	(a) The Alabama National Guard, commanders, and
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646	646	(a) The Alabama National Guard, commanders, and
647	647	supervisory judge advocates shall provide logistical support
648	648	for the Legal Services Office, including adequate personnel,
649	649	facilities, supplies, and equipment necessary to carry out its
650	650	mission and functions in the most professional, efficient, and
651	651	effective manner possible.
652	652	(b) Minimum logistical support shall include all of the
653	653	following:
654	654	(1) Sufficiently private workspace for attorneys and
655	655	support staff that ensures freedom from unnecessary
656	656	distractions and provides for client confidentiality and
657	657	privacy, including a private consultation room.
658	658	(2) Locking file cabinets to ensure the privacy of
659	659	records.
660	660	(3) Computer hardware and software to maintain client
661	661	records; provided, only authorized personnel may have access.
662	662	(4) A sufficient number of attorneys and qualified
663	663	administrative, paralegal, and clerical support personnel to
664	664	accomplish workload.
665	665	(5) Computers for each assigned judge advocate,
666	666	paralegal, and legal assistant; software, peripherals,
667	667	networking, telecommunication equipment, including nonsecure
668	668	Internet protocol router network access and, where required,
669	669	secure Internet protocol router network access. Maintenance
670	670	and supplies for computer hardware and software, including
671	671	training for personnel.
672	672	(6) Appropriate and private client waiting areas in
673	673	legal services and assistance offices.
674	674	(7) Standard legal office equipment as determined by
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704	704	(7) Standard legal office equipment as determined by
705	705	technological advancements and by the state staff judge
706	706	advocate or the Office of General Counsel.
707	707	(8) Access to digital libraries, including general
708	708	research material and legal services for specialized topics,
709	709	including adequate funding and resources for essential access
710	710	to computer automated legal research capabilities.
711	711	(9) Adequate funding for continuing legal education for
712	712	all assigned and attached attorneys sufficient to satisfy
713	713	requirements of each attorney's primary jurisdiction of bar
714	714	membership, including additional specialty or assignment
715	715	training for attorneys and support staff.
716	716	(10) Cellular telephones and similar devices as
717	717	determined by the state staff judge advocate or Office of
718	718	General Counsel to support legal mission requirements.
719	719	(11) Adequate transportation support.
720	720	(c) The management and delivery of legal services in
721	721	the Alabama National Guard requires the use and support of
722	722	court computer access to software applications, such as:
723	723	Jagcnet, Adobe, Word Perfect, Alacourt, Alafile, and federal
724	724	court litigation access.
725	725	Section 2. Chapter 2C is added to Title 31 of the Code
726	726	of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
727	727	§31-2C-1.
728	728	This chapter provides policies, roles,
729	729	responsibilities, and procedures for the Alabama National
730	730	Guard Legal Assistance Program. This chapter shall not be
731	731	construed to create any substantive or procedural right
732	732	against this state or the United States, or any agencies or
733	733	337
734	734	338
735	735	339
736	736	340
737	737	341
738	738	342
739	739	343
740	740	344
741	741	345
742	742	346
743	743	347
744	744	348
745	745	349
746	746	350
747	747	351
748	748	352
749	749	353
750	750	354
751	751	355
752	752	356
753	753	357
754	754	358
755	755	359
756	756	360
757	757	361
758	758	362
759	759	363
760	760	364 HB328 INTRODUCED
761	761	Page 14
762	762	against this state or the United States, or any agencies or
763	763	officers thereof, or any other person.
764	764	§31-2C-2.
765	765	(a) The Legal Assistance Program shall be modeled after
766	766	Army Regulation 27-3, Air Force Instruction 51-304, and Air
767	767	National Guard Instruction 51-504. When not in federal service
768	768	these federal regulations shall be advisory and not
769	769	controlling and any inconsistencies shall be resolved in favor
770	770	of state law and rules. This chapter shall be applicable to
771	771	all judge advocates at all times, even when in federal
772	772	service. For any conflict between this chapter and federal law
773	773	or rule during federal service, federal service regulations
774	774	shall control.
775	775	(b) Nothing in this chapter shall abrogate any duties,
776	776	responsibilities, or liabilities of judge advocates or
777	777	personnel under Alabama National Guard shall incorporate Army
778	778	Regulation 27-3, Air Force Instruction 51-304, and Air
779	779	National Guard Instruction 51-504.
780	780	§31-2C-3.
781	781	(a) The mission of the Legal Assistance Program is to
782	782	assist eligible clients with managing their personal legal
783	783	affairs in a timely and professional manner by doing all of
784	784	the following:
785	785	(1) Meeting clients' needs for information on personal
786	786	legal matters.
787	787	(2) Resolving clients' personal legal problems whenever
788	788	possible.
789	789	(b) The Legal Assistance Program shall be under the
790	790	direction of the Adjutant General. The mission of the Legal
791	791	365
792	792	366
793	793	367
794	794	368
795	795	369
796	796	370
797	797	371
798	798	372
799	799	373
800	800	374
801	801	375
802	802	376
803	803	377
804	804	378
805	805	379
806	806	380
807	807	381
808	808	382
809	809	383
810	810	384
811	811	385
812	812	386
813	813	387
814	814	388
815	815	389
816	816	390
817	817	391
818	818	392 HB328 INTRODUCED
819	819	Page 15
820	820	direction of the Adjutant General. The mission of the Legal
821	821	Assistance Program is based on military needs of readiness,
822	822	morale, discipline, and retention according to the following:
823	823	(1) Readiness. Because soldiers, airmen, and
824	824	emergency-essential Department of Defense civilian employees
825	825	must be prepared for immediate mobilization and deployment,
826	826	their personal legal affairs must be in order at all times.
827	827	(2) Morale. Fostering high morale of soldiers, airmen,
828	828	and their families is an important aspect of readiness. High
829	829	morale is enhanced by providing soldiers, airmen, and their
830	830	families information, advice, and assistance responsive to
831	831	their personal legal needs and problems.
832	832	(3) Discipline. Personal legal difficulties may cause
833	833	low morale and disciplinary problems and may adversely affect
834	834	combat readiness. Prompt legal assistance in resolving these
835	835	difficulties is an effective preventive law measure.
836	836	(4) Quality. Providing legal assistance is part of the
837	837	Alabama National Guard's ongoing effort to maintain a quality
838	838	of life that will attract quality people. The Alabama National
839	839	Guard must take care of its own if it is to recruit and retain
840	840	a quality force.
841	841	(5) Retention. In order to retain service members, it
842	842	is the mission of the Alabama National Guard legal assistance
843	843	program to assist service members with legal matters on a no
844	844	cost basis to promote retention.
845	845	§31-2C-4.
846	846	(a) The Alabama Staff Judge Advocate for the Alabama
847	847	Army and Air National Guard shall do all of the following:
848	848	(1) Maintain ultimate responsibility for the overall
849	849	393
850	850	394
851	851	395
852	852	396
853	853	397
854	854	398
855	855	399
856	856	400
857	857	401
858	858	402
859	859	403
860	860	404
861	861	405
862	862	406
863	863	407
864	864	408
865	865	409
866	866	410
867	867	411
868	868	412
869	869	413
870	870	414
871	871	415
872	872	416
873	873	417
874	874	418
875	875	419
876	876	420 HB328 INTRODUCED
877	877	Page 16
878	878	(1) Maintain ultimate responsibility for the overall
879	879	supervision and administration of the Legal Assistance
880	880	Program.
881	881	(2) Through the Director of Legal Services within the
882	882	Office of General Counsel:
883	883	a. Execute program director responsibilities for the
884	884	Legal Assistance Program;
885	885	b. Exercise technical oversight over judge advocates
886	886	and civilian attorneys serving in the Legal Assistance
887	887	Program;
888	888	c. Provide technical guidance over attorneys serving as
889	889	Alabama National Guard/NGB Special Victims' Counsel; and
890	890	d. Develop policies and procedures for the Legal
891	891	Assistance Program's Manual of Legal Assistance.
892	892	(b) The MACOM Judge Advocate Office shall provide legal
893	893	assistance if they have a separate legal assistance judge
894	894	advocate. Otherwise, the Legal Services Office, through the
895	895	Legal Assistance Program, shall advise and counsel all legal
896	896	services issues within MACOMs. MACOM judge advocates may
897	897	provide emergency legal assistance, if approved by the
898	898	Director of Legal Services.
899	899	§31-2C-5.
900	900	The Alabama National Guard legal assistance associate
901	901	general counsel shall be responsible for legal assistance
902	902	services in the Alabama National Guard and State Military
903	903	Department, and shall do all of the following:
904	904	(1) Provide legal assistance services pursuant to Army
905	905	Regulation 27-3, Air Force Instruction 51-304, and Air
906	906	National Guard Instruction 51-504, and as may be directed or
907	907	421
908	908	422
909	909	423
910	910	424
911	911	425
912	912	426
913	913	427
914	914	428
915	915	429
916	916	430
917	917	431
918	918	432
919	919	433
920	920	434
921	921	435
922	922	436
923	923	437
924	924	438
925	925	439
926	926	440
927	927	441
928	928	442
929	929	443
930	930	444
931	931	445
932	932	446
933	933	447
934	934	448 HB328 INTRODUCED
935	935	Page 17
936	936	National Guard Instruction 51-504, and as may be directed or
937	937	limited by the state staff judge advocate.
938	938	(2) Formulate and publish an Alabama National Guard
939	939	Manual for Legal Assistance, to be updated annually.
940	940	(3) Ensure proper planning and coordination for Soldier
941	941	Readiness Program legal support.
942	942	(4) Secure adequate facilities, equipment, supplies,
943	943	and personnel for the provision of legal assistance services.
944	944	(5) Coordinate, draft, publish, and execute preventive
945	945	legal assistance initiatives and services that meet the needs
946	946	of the Alabama National Guard and its respective commands.
947	947	(6) Establish, where appropriate, any consistent
948	948	limitations to accomplish the mission of the Legal Services
949	949	Office.
950	950	(7) Maintain up-to-date legal trackers of clients and
951	951	services for the Legal Services Office.
952	952	§31-2C-6.
953	953	Unless inconsistent with superior orders or other
954	954	duties or responsibilities, all of the following are
955	955	authorized to provide legal assistance:
956	956	(1) Judge advocates and personnel supporting the Legal
957	957	Services Office under the authority of the Adjutant General
958	958	and state staff judge advocates.
959	959	(2) Judge advocates and personnel supporting the Army
960	960	and Air National Guard under Army Regulation 27-3, Air Force
961	961	Instruction 51-304, and Air National Guard Instruction 51-504.
962	962	(3) State and Department of Defense civilian attorneys
963	963	and judge advocates as approved by the state staff judge
964	964	advocates.
965	965	449
966	966	450
967	967	451
968	968	452
969	969	453
970	970	454
971	971	455
972	972	456
973	973	457
974	974	458
975	975	459
976	976	460
977	977	461
978	978	462
979	979	463
980	980	464
981	981	465
982	982	466
983	983	467
984	984	468
985	985	469
986	986	470
987	987	471
988	988	472
989	989	473
990	990	474
991	991	475
992	992	476 HB328 INTRODUCED
993	993	Page 18
994	994	advocates.
995	995	(4) Staff judge advocates and Office of General Counsel
996	996	interns or externs under the supervision of the state staff
997	997	judge advocate or Office of General Counsel.
998	998	§31-2C-7.
999	999	(a) The Legal Services Office along with designated
1000	1000	supervisory judge advocates shall ensure that all attorneys
1001	1001	and non-lawyer assistants providing legal services develop and
1002	1002	maintain the requisite level of competency required by the
1003	1003	Alabama State Bar, state rules, and federal regulations that
1004	1004	apply to judge advocates.
1005	1005	(b) The legal assistance associate general counsel
1006	1006	shall ensure all of the following:
1007	1007	(1) All judge advocates and attorneys under his or her
1008	1008	supervision receive continuing legal education in the areas of
1009	1009	law, policy, and professional responsibility relevant to legal
1010	1010	assistance. Training should take advantage of courses
1011	1011	sponsored by state and federal government agencies; national,
1012	1012	state, and local bar associations; and the Judge Advocate
1013	1013	Center and School.
1014	1014	(2) The Legal Services Office periodically conducts
1015	1015	training covering the laws affecting legal assistance cases in
1016	1016	coordination with local bar associations, legal aid offices,
1017	1017	local practitioners, and relevant state and local government
1018	1018	agencies.
1019	1019	(3) Paralegal specialists, office intake personnel, and
1020	1020	receptionists receive training and instructions on
1021	1021	safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of client
1022	1022	information, conflicts of interest, reporting procedures for
1023	1023	477
1024	1024	478
1025	1025	479
1026	1026	480
1027	1027	481
1028	1028	482
1029	1029	483
1030	1030	484
1031	1031	485
1032	1032	486
1033	1033	487
1034	1034	488
1035	1035	489
1036	1036	490
1037	1037	491
1038	1038	492
1039	1039	493
1040	1040	494
1041	1041	495
1042	1042	496
1043	1043	497
1044	1044	498
1045	1045	499
1046	1046	500
1047	1047	501
1048	1048	502
1049	1049	503
1050	1050	504 HB328 INTRODUCED
1051	1051	Page 19
1052	1052	information, conflicts of interest, reporting procedures for
1053	1053	violations of the standards, and other professional
1054	1054	responsibility topics related to legal assistance.
1055	1055	Participation in local legal assistance training shall be
1056	1056	encouraged. Supervisory lawyers should encourage and support
1057	1057	participation in the Army's Paralegal Degree Program for all
1058	1058	paralegal soldiers.
1059	1059	(4) Other attorneys who may be called to perform legal
1060	1060	assistance duties receive appropriate training in legal
1061	1061	assistance.
1062	1062	§31-2C-8.
1063	1063	Eligible clients of the Legal Assistance Program ,
1064	1064	subject to the limitations described herein, include all of
1065	1065	the following:
1066	1066	(1) Alabama Army and Air National Guard members,
1067	1067	employees, retirees, and their dependents. Retired members of
1068	1068	the Alabama National Guard are those retirees who are entitled
1069	1069	to or are receiving military retirement pay, including
1070	1070	individuals on the temporary disability retired list.
1071	1071	(2) The legal assistance associate general counsel,
1072	1072	with the advice and consent of the state staff judge
1073	1073	advocates, may limit legal assistance in times of emergencies
1074	1074	or to certain categories of cases based on availability of
1075	1075	expertise or resources.
1076	1076	(3) Dependents of eligible individuals identified
1077	1077	herein. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "dependent"
1078	1078	has the same meaning as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 1072.
1079	1079	(4) Surviving dependents of eligible individuals as
1080	1080	identified herein who would be eligible for legal assistance,
1081	1081	505
1082	1082	506
1083	1083	507
1084	1084	508
1085	1085	509
1086	1086	510
1087	1087	511
1088	1088	512
1089	1089	513
1090	1090	514
1091	1091	515
1092	1092	516
1093	1093	517
1094	1094	518
1095	1095	519
1096	1096	520
1097	1097	521
1098	1098	522
1099	1099	523
1100	1100	524
1101	1101	525
1102	1102	526
1103	1103	527
1104	1104	528
1105	1105	529
1106	1106	530
1107	1107	531
1108	1108	532 HB328 INTRODUCED
1109	1109	Page 20
1110	1110	identified herein who would be eligible for legal assistance,
1111	1111	if the service member or retired member were alive.
1112	1112	§31-2C-9.
1113	1113	The Adjutant General or a state staff judge advocate
1114	1114	may limit or expand the Legal Assistance Program depending on
1115	1115	the space, facilities, or personnel available and the nature
1116	1116	and scope of services needed.
1117	1117	§31-2C-10.
1118	1118	Preventive law services are an integral part of the
1119	1119	Legal Assistance Program as defined in Army Regulation 27-1
1120	1120	and Air Force Instruction 51-304,the purpose of which is to
1121	1121	assist and educate Alabama National Guard members, employees,
1122	1122	retirees, and dependents about their legal rights, privileges,
1123	1123	and responsibilities. The Alabama National Guard Legal
1124	1124	Assistance Program shall strive to work with state agencies,
1125	1125	local and state bar associations, and community leaders on the
1126	1126	most pressing legal issues to best address any issues and to
1127	1127	disseminate legal information to assist eligible persons in
1128	1128	making sound legal decisions.
1129	1129	§31-2C-11.
1130	1130	(a) The Legal Assistance Program shall include a
1131	1131	Preventative Law Program that does all of the following:
1132	1132	(1) Publishes one or more preventative law publications
1133	1133	per quarter and distributes the publications via any medium
1134	1134	easily accessible to eligible clients.
1135	1135	(2) Participates in command newcomer orientation
1136	1136	briefings, professional development programs, general military
1137	1137	training, other unit education programs, and family readiness
1138	1138	group presentations. Attorneys and paralegals are encouraged
1139	1139	533
1140	1140	534
1141	1141	535
1142	1142	536
1143	1143	537
1144	1144	538
1145	1145	539
1146	1146	540
1147	1147	541
1148	1148	542
1149	1149	543
1150	1150	544
1151	1151	545
1152	1152	546
1153	1153	547
1154	1154	548
1155	1155	549
1156	1156	550
1157	1157	551
1158	1158	552
1159	1159	553
1160	1160	554
1161	1161	555
1162	1162	556
1163	1163	557
1164	1164	558
1165	1165	559
1166	1166	560 HB328 INTRODUCED
1167	1167	Page 21
1168	1168	group presentations. Attorneys and paralegals are encouraged
1169	1169	to sponsor and participate in lectures, seminars, forums, and
1170	1170	meetings that inform soldiers, family members, and retirees
1171	1171	about legal problems and issues.
1172	1172	(3) Maintains a legal assistance website or social
1173	1173	media presence that contains information on the office hours,
1174	1174	location, and services available. Legal assistance offices are
1175	1175	encouraged to disseminate preventative law materials on these
1176	1176	sites. All published material must be reviewed and updated at
1177	1177	least quarterly to ensure accuracy.
1178	1178	(4) Makes preventive law handouts available in waiting
1179	1179	rooms and other appropriate locations.
1180	1180	(b) In addition to taking the above measures to educate
1181	1181	soldiers and their family members, the Preventative Law
1182	1182	Program shall employ the following measures to prevent future
1183	1183	legal issues:
1184	1184	(1) Identify landlords and other businesses that take
1185	1185	unfair advantage of soldiers and family members and coordinate
1186	1186	with local installation housing referral offices, local Armed
1187	1187	Forces Disciplinary Control Boards, and local, state, and
1188	1188	federal consumer protection agencies to develop procedures to
1189	1189	enforce fair business practices.
1190	1190	(2) Assess whether changes in law or regulation could
1191	1191	prevent common legal problems and make regulatory or
1192	1192	legislative suggestions to initiate those changes.
1193	1193	Recommendations for changes to federal law, regulations, or
1194	1194	other policy should be forwarded to the Alabama National Guard
1195	1195	Legal Services Office.
1196	1196	§31-2C-12.
1197	1197	561
1198	1198	562
1199	1199	563
1200	1200	564
1201	1201	565
1202	1202	566
1203	1203	567
1204	1204	568
1205	1205	569
1206	1206	570
1207	1207	571
1208	1208	572
1209	1209	573
1210	1210	574
1211	1211	575
1212	1212	576
1213	1213	577
1214	1214	578
1215	1215	579
1216	1216	580
1217	1217	581
1218	1218	582
1219	1219	583
1220	1220	584
1221	1221	585
1222	1222	586
1223	1223	587
1224	1224	588 HB328 INTRODUCED
1225	1225	Page 22
1226	1226	§31-2C-12.
1227	1227	(a) The scope of Alabama National Guard legal services
1228	1228	is limited to the types of cases, matters, and services as
1229	1229	defined and outlined in Army Regulation 27-3, Air Force
1230	1230	Instruction 51-304, and Army National Guard Instruction
1231	1231	51-504.
1232	1232	(b) The Alabama National Guard Legal Services Office
1233	1233	may limit or expand any services depending on expertise,
1234	1234	resources, and personnel.
1235	1235	(c) Legal assistance services are provided at no cost
1236	1236	to a client; however, the Alabama National Guard Legal
1237	1237	Services Office is not responsible for any costs associated
1238	1238	with a client's legal matter, including, but not limited to,
1239	1239	court fees, charges, filing fees, discovery fees, application
1240	1240	fees, appeal bonds, fines, civilian or private attorney fees,
1241	1241	or any other costs.
1242	1242	§31-2C-13.
1243	1243	(a) All judge advocates providing legal assistance must
1244	1244	obtain and hold an occupational license from the Alabama State
1245	1245	Bar, or, with exception and approval of a state staff judge
1246	1246	advocate, from another state bar under which the judge
1247	1247	advocate is licensed. Further, judge advocates should
1248	1248	establish and maintain a liaison with national, state, and
1249	1249	local bar organizations. Membership in professional
1250	1250	organizations, especially local branches involved in providing
1251	1251	legal services pertinent to the military community and
1252	1252	attendance at professional meetings and seminars is
1253	1253	encouraged.
1254	1254	(b) Upon receipt of necessary approval by a state staff
1255	1255	589
1256	1256	590
1257	1257	591
1258	1258	592
1259	1259	593
1260	1260	594
1261	1261	595
1262	1262	596
1263	1263	597
1264	1264	598
1265	1265	599
1266	1266	600
1267	1267	601
1268	1268	602
1269	1269	603
1270	1270	604
1271	1271	605
1272	1272	606
1273	1273	607
1274	1274	608
1275	1275	609
1276	1276	610
1277	1277	611
1278	1278	612
1279	1279	613
1280	1280	614
1281	1281	615
1282	1282	616 HB328 INTRODUCED
1283	1283	Page 23
1284	1284	(b) Upon receipt of necessary approval by a state staff
1285	1285	judge advocate, judge advocates and personnel may obtain
1286	1286	reimbursement of license fees and any necessary fees
1287	1287	associated with continuing legal education or membership in
1288	1288	local or state bar associations.
1289	1289	(c) Legal assistance attorneys are encouraged to
1290	1290	provide presentations to their civilian counterparts on
1291	1291	military legal assistance issues.
1292	1292	(d) The Legal Services Office shall work to incorporate
1293	1293	the purposes of the Military Law Committee with coordination
1294	1294	between the Alabama State Bar and local bar associations
1295	1295	regarding military legal services, referral services, and
1296	1296	legal issues within this state.
1297	1297	§31-2C-14.
1298	1298	Nothing in this chapter shall affect the standards of
1299	1299	professional conduct required by the United States Army,
1300	1300	United States Air Force, National Guard Bureau, or the Alabama
1301	1301	State Bar, nor shall it expand any services of the Legal
1302	1302	Services Office or personnel, outside of the scope and
1303	1303	liability protections of the applicable service regulations.
1304	1304	All functions under this chapter and Chapter 2B and all other
1305	1305	activities relating to the Legal Services Office are
1306	1306	governmental functions for defense and security of Alabama
1307	1307	State Military Forces.
1308	1308	§31-2C-15.
1309	1309	(a) Judge advocates and paralegals while performing
1310	1310	duties under Title 10 or Title 32, U.S.C., may perform
1311	1311	notarial acts, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 1044a, or if qualified
1312	1312	as a notary public under state law.
1313	1313	617
1314	1314	618
1315	1315	619
1316	1316	620
1317	1317	621
1318	1318	622
1319	1319	623
1320	1320	624
1321	1321	625
1322	1322	626
1323	1323	627
1324	1324	628
1325	1325	629
1326	1326	630
1327	1327	631
1328	1328	632
1329	1329	633
1330	1330	634
1331	1331	635
1332	1332	636
1333	1333	637
1334	1334	638
1335	1335	639
1336	1336	640
1337	1337	641
1338	1338	642
1339	1339	643
1340	1340	644 HB328 INTRODUCED
1341	1341	Page 24
1342	1342	as a notary public under state law.
1343	1343	(b) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 1044a, judge advocates,
1344	1344	even when not in a duty status, have the general powers of a
1345	1345	notary public in the performance of all notarial acts.
1346	1346	(c) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 1044a(b)(4), Alabama
1347	1347	National Guard paralegals have the general powers of a notary
1348	1348	public in the performance of all notarial acts, even when in a
1349	1349	non-duty status.
1350	1350	(d) Judge advocates and paralegals may use a seal or
1351	1351	stamp citing the authority under 10 U.S.C. § 1044a when
1352	1352	performing notarial acts.
1353	1353	(e) The cost of a state notary public commission, if
1354	1354	required by a state staff judge advocate, may be reimbursed
1355	1355	upon his or her approval.
1356	1356	(f) Civilian employee notaries may perform these
1357	1357	services within the limits of the commission under the rules
1358	1358	for the jurisdiction. No fees may be charged for these notary
1359	1359	services.
1360	1360	(g) All actions of military notaries qualified under 10
1361	1361	U.S.C. § 1044a are valid and enforceable in this state.
1362	1362	Section 3. This act shall become effective on October
1363	1363	1, 2025.
1364	1364	645
1365	1365	646
1366	1366	647
1367	1367	648
1368	1368	649
1369	1369	650
1370	1370	651
1371	1371	652
1372	1372	653
1373	1373	654
1374	1374	655
1375	1375	656
1376	1376	657
1377	1377	658
1378	1378	659
1379	1379	660
1380	1380	661
1381	1381	662
1382	1382	663
1383	1383	664
1384	1384	665