Colorado 2024 Regular Session

Colorado House Bill HB1374 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
	1	+	Second Regular Session
	2	+	Seventy-fourth General Assembly
	3	+	STATE OF COLORADO
	4	+	REREVISED
	5	+	This Version Includes All Amendments
	6	+	Adopted in the Second House
	7	+	LLS NO. 24-1044.01 Jason Gelender x4330
1	8		HOUSE BILL 24-1374
2		-	BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Marvin and Rutinel, Amabile, Bacon, Bird,
3		-	Boesenecker, Brown, Clifford, Daugherty, deGruy Kennedy, Epps,
4		-	Froelich, Garcia, Hernandez, Herod, Jodeh, Kipp, Lindsay, Lindstedt,
5		-	Mabrey, Ricks, Sirota, Snyder, Titone, Weissman, Woodrow, McCluskie;
6		-	also SENATOR(S) Michaelson Jenet, Buckner, Cutter, Gardner, Gonzales,
7		-	Hinrichsen, Jaquez Lewis, Priola, Roberts, Rodriguez, Winter F.,
8		-	Zenzinger.
	9	+	House Committees Senate Committees
	10	+	Judiciary Judiciary
	11	+	A BILL FOR AN ACT
9	12		C
10		-	ONCERNING MEANS OF ENSURING THAT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS WHO
11		-	PERFORM LEGAL SERVICES ON BEHALF OF INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL
12		-	AGENCIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN
13		-	FORGIVENESS PROGRAM
14		-	.
15		-
16		-	Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
17		-	SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly
18		-	finds and declares that:
19		-	(a) Three independent judicial agencies, the office of the alternative
20		-	defense counsel, the office of the child's representative, and the office of
21		-	respondent parents' counsel, primarily use independent contractors to
22		-	provide legal representation as required by state law because providing the
23		-	NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signatures of the appropriate legislative
24		-	officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
25		-	or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
26		-	history, or the Session Laws.
27		-	________
28		-	Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes
29		-	through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of
30		-	the act. same services through government employees would be impracticable due
31		-	to the ethical conflicts that such employment would create;
32		-	(b) Providing legal representation through independent contractors
33		-	is a common model to address such conflicts;
34		-	(c) In 2007, Congress created the public service loan forgiveness
35		-	program to allow government and nonprofit full-time employees to have
36		-	their federal student loans forgiven after ten years of qualifying service, but,
37		-	unfortunately, independent contractors who provide crucial legal
38		-	representation through contracts with government agencies were not
39		-	eligible for the program;
40		-	(d) In 2023, the federal government changed the requirements for
41		-	the program to make an independent contractor eligible for public service
42		-	loan forgiveness if the work that the independent contractor performs for a
43		-	government agency cannot be performed by a government employee;
44		-	(e) Providing opportunities for independent contractors who provide
45		-	legal services on behalf of independent judicial agencies to be eligible for
46		-	the same federal public service loan forgiveness that would be available for
47		-	government employees performing similar work will improve recruitment
48		-	and retention for crucial public service legal work and provide important
49		-	financial benefits to Colorado residents and small business owners;
50		-	(f) Each year, these three independent judicial agencies lose highly
51		-	qualified and trained contractors to full-time government or nonprofit jobs
52		-	because these contractors want to be eligible for public service loan
53		-	forgiveness, and this turnover is costly for the state and detrimental to
54		-	clients; and
55		-	(g) Nothing in this act is intended to alter eligibility for state or local
56		-	loan forgiveness, and the federal government will continue to be ultimately
57		-	responsible for determining eligibility for federal public service loan
58		-	forgiveness.
59		-	(2) The general assembly therefore declares that it is in the best
60		-	interests of the state, the legal profession, and the people served by
61		-	independent judicial agencies to clarify that independent contractors who
62		-	provide legal services on behalf of independent judicial agencies can be
63		-	PAGE 2-HOUSE BILL 24-1374 eligible for federal public service loan forgiveness.
64		-	SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-91-105, add (3) as
65		-	follows:
66		-	13-91-105. Duties of the office of the child's representative -
	13	+	ONCERNING MEANS OF ENSURING THAT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS101
	14	+	WHO PERFORM LEGAL SERVICES ON BEHALF OF INDEPENDENT102
	15	+	JUDICIAL AGENCIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FEDERAL PUBLIC103
	16	+	SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM .104
	17	+	Bill Summary
	18	+	(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
	19	+	not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
	20	+	passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
	21	+	applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
	22	+	http://leg.colorado.gov
	23	+	.)
	24	+	Independent contractors (contractors) were previously ineligible
	25	+	for the federal public service loan forgiveness program (program), which
	26	+	forgives remaining federal student loan liability for government and
	27	+	SENATE
	28	+	3rd Reading Unamended
	29	+	April 23, 2024
	30	+	SENATE
	31	+	2nd Reading Unamended
	32	+	April 22, 2024
	33	+	HOUSE
	34	+	3rd Reading Unamended
	35	+	April 8, 2024
	36	+	HOUSE
	37	+	2nd Reading Unamended
	38	+	April 5, 2024
	39	+	HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
	40	+	Marvin and Rutinel, Amabile, Bacon, Bird, Boesenecker, Brown, Clifford, Daugherty,
	41	+	deGruy Kennedy, Epps, Froelich, Garcia, Hernandez, Herod, Jodeh, Kipp, Lindsay, Lindstedt,
	42	+	Mabrey, McCluskie, Ricks, Sirota, Snyder, Titone, Weissman, Woodrow
	43	+	SENATE SPONSORSHIP
	44	+	Michaelson Jenet, Buckner, Cutter, Gardner, Gonzales, Hinrichsen, Jaquez Lewis, Priola,
	45	+	Roberts, Rodriguez, Winter F., Zenzinger
	46	+	Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
	47	+	Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
	48	+	Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. nonprofit full-time employees after 10 years of qualifying service, but in
	49	+	2023 the federal government made contractors who perform work for a
	50	+	government agency eligible for the program if the work cannot be
	51	+	performed by a government employee. Three independent judicial
	52	+	agencies, the office of the alternative defense counsel, the office of the
	53	+	child's representative, and the office of respondent parents' counsel
	54	+	(agencies) primarily use contractors to provide legal representation on
	55	+	behalf of the agencies because providing the same services through state
	56	+	employees would create ethical conflicts.
	57	+	To enable these contractors to qualify for the program if they
	58	+	otherwise meet program requirements, the bill:
	59	+	! Clarifies that state employees cannot provide the legal
	60	+	services that the independent contractors provide;
	61	+	! Allows the agencies to certify that a contractor appears to
	62	+	be eligible for the program; and
	63	+	! Because some contractors provide or have provided legal
	64	+	services on behalf of more than one of the agencies,
	65	+	authorizes the agencies to share contractor information to
	66	+	the extent necessary to certify a contractor's eligibility for
	67	+	the program.
	68	+	Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
	69	+	SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
	70	+	finds and declares that:3
	71	+	(a) Three independent judicial agencies, the office of the4
	72	+	alternative defense counsel, the office of the child's representative, and5
	73	+	the office of respondent parents' counsel, primarily use independent6
	74	+	contractors to provide legal representation as required by state law7
	75	+	because providing the same services through government employees8
	76	+	would be impracticable due to the ethical conflicts that such employment9
	77	+	would create;10
	78	+	(b) Providing legal representation through independent contractors11
	79	+	is a common model to address such conflicts;12
	80	+	(c) In 2007, Congress created the public service loan forgiveness13
	81	+	program to allow government and nonprofit full-time employees to have14
	82	+	1374-2- their federal student loans forgiven after ten years of qualifying service,1
	83	+	but, unfortunately, independent contractors who provide crucial legal2
	84	+	representation through contracts with government agencies were not3
	85	+	eligible for the program;4
	86	+	(d) In 2023, the federal government changed the requirements for5
	87	+	the program to make an independent contractor eligible for public service6
	88	+	loan forgiveness if the work that the independent contractor performs for7
	89	+	a government agency cannot be performed by a government employee;8
	90	+	(e) Providing opportunities for independent contractors who9
	91	+	provide legal services on behalf of independent judicial agencies to be10
	92	+	eligible for the same federal public service loan forgiveness that would11
	93	+	be available for government employees performing similar work will12
	94	+	improve recruitment and retention for crucial public service legal work13
	95	+	and provide important financial benefits to Colorado residents and small14
	96	+	business owners;15
	97	+	(f) Each year, these three independent judicial agencies lose16
	98	+	highly qualified and trained contractors to full-time government or17
	99	+	nonprofit jobs because these contractors want to be eligible for public18
	100	+	service loan forgiveness, and this turnover is costly for the state and19
	101	+	detrimental to clients; and20
	102	+	(g) Nothing in this act is intended to alter eligibility for state or21
	103	+	local loan forgiveness, and the federal government will continue to be22
	104	+	ultimately responsible for determining eligibility for federal public23
	105	+	service loan forgiveness.24
	106	+	(2) The general assembly therefore declares that it is in the best25
	107	+	interests of the state, the legal profession, and the people served by26
	108	+	independent judicial agencies to clarify that independent contractors who27
	109	+	1374
	110	+	-3- provide legal services on behalf of independent judicial agencies can be1
	111	+	eligible for federal public service loan forgiveness.2
	112	+	SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-91-105, add (3)3
	113	+	as follows:4
	114	+	13-91-105. Duties of the office of the child's representative -5
67	115		guardian ad litem and counsel for youth programs. (3) C
68		-	OLORADO
69		-	RELIES PRIMARILY ON AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR MODEL OF LEGAL
70		-	REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE
71		-	WITH THIS SECTION
72		-	. WHILE THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD'S REPRESENTATIVE
73		-	CURRENTLY PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
74		-	IN SOME CASE TYPES AND IN ONE COUNTY THROUGH STATE EMPLOYEES AND
75		-	WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE USE OF A STATE EMPLOYEE STAFF MODEL
76		-	OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHERE FEASIBLE
77		-	,
78		-	C
79		-	OLORADO'S NEED FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
80		-	CANNOT BE FILLED OR PROVIDED STATEWIDE SOLELY BY EMPLOYEES OF THE
81		-	OFFICE OF THE CHILD
82		-	'S REPRESENTATIVE. THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR'S
83		-	DESIGNEE IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN A CERTIFICATION FOR ANY CURRENT OR
84		-	PAST INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE CONTRACTOR
85		-	APPEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
86		-	AS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS
87		-	. WITH THE AUTHORIZATION
88		-	OF AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR WHO IS PROVIDING OR HAS PROVIDED
89		-	LEGAL REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE
90		-	, THE DIRECTOR OR THE
91		-	DIRECTOR
92		-	'S DESIGNEE MAY SHARE INFORMATION , INCLUDING THE
93		-	CONTRACTOR
94		-	'S NAME, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR FEDERAL EMPLOYER
95		-	IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
96		-	, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS BILLED BY THE
97		-	CONTRACTOR BY CALENDAR YEAR
98		-	, WITH OTHER INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL
99		-	AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFYING APPARENT PAST
100		-	, CURRENT, AND
101		-	FUTURE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS ALLOWED BY
102		-	FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS
103		-	.
104		-	SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-92-104, add (3) as
105		-	follows:
106		-	13-92-104. Duties of the office of the respondent parents'
	116	+	OLORADO6
	117	+	RELIES PRIMARILY ON AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR MODEL OF LEGAL7
	118	+	REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE8
	119	+	WITH THIS SECTION. WHILE THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD'S REPRESENTATIVE9
	120	+	CURRENTLY PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH10
	121	+	IN SOME CASE TYPES AND IN ONE COUNTY THROUGH STATE EMPLOYEES11
	122	+	AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE USE OF A STATE EMPLOYEE STAFF12
	123	+	MODEL OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHERE13
	124	+	FEASIBLE, COLORADO'S NEED FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN14
	125	+	AND YOUTH CANNOT BE FILLED OR PROVIDED STATEWIDE SOLELY BY15
	126	+	EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD 'S REPRESENTATIVE. THE16
	127	+	DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR 'S DESIGNEE IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN A17
	128	+	CERTIFICATION FOR ANY CURRENT OR PAST INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR18
	129	+	THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE CONTRACTOR APPEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR19
	130	+	FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS AS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL20
	131	+	LAW OR REGULATIONS. WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF AN INDEPENDENT21
	132	+	CONTRACTOR WHO IS PROVIDING OR HAS PROVIDED LEGAL22
	133	+	REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE , THE DIRECTOR OR THE23
	134	+	DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE MAY SHARE INFORMATION , INCLUDING THE24
	135	+	CONTRACTOR'S NAME, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR FEDERAL EMPLOYER25
	136	+	IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS BILLED BY26
	137	+	THE CONTRACTOR BY CALENDAR YEAR , WITH OTHER INDEPENDENT27
	138	+	1374
	139	+	-4- JUDICIAL AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFYING APPARENT PAST ,1
	140	+	CURRENT, AND FUTURE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN2
	141	+	FORGIVENESS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS .3
	142	+	SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-92-104, add (3)4
	143	+	as follows:5
	144	+	13-92-104. Duties of the office of the respondent parents'6
107	145		counsel. (3) E
108		-	MPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE ARE PROHIBITED FROM PROVIDING
109		-	DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO RESPONDENT PARENTS
110		-	. FOR THE
111		-	PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN
112		-	FORGIVENESS
113		-	, AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR , INCLUDING AN ATTORNEY,
114		-	A SOCIAL WORKER, A FAMILY ADVOCATE, OR A PARENT ADVOCATE, WHO IS
115		-	PAGE 3-HOUSE BILL 24-1374 PROVIDING OR HAS PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO RESPONDENT PARENTS
116		-	PURSUANT TO THE CONTRACTOR
117		-	'S CONTRACT HAS A CONFLICT THAT
118		-	PROHIBITS THE CONTRACTOR FROM PROVIDING THESE SERVICES AS A STATE
119		-	EMPLOYEE
120		-	. THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE IS AUTHORIZED TO
121		-	SIGN A CERTIFICATION FOR ANY CURRENT OR PAST INDEPENDENT
122		-	CONTRACTOR THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE CONTRACTOR APPEARS TO BE
123		-	ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS AS ALLOWED BY
124		-	FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS
125		-	. WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF AN
126		-	INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
127		-	, THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE
128		-	MAY SHARE INFORMATION
129		-	, INCLUDING THE CONTRACTOR 'S NAME, SOCIAL
130		-	SECURITY NUMBER OR FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
131		-	, AND
132		-	TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS BILLED BY THE CONTRACTOR BY CALENDAR YEAR
133		-	,
134		-	WITH OTHER JUDICIAL AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFYING APPARENT
135		-	PAST
136		-	, CURRENT, AND FUTURE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN
137		-	FORGIVENESS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS
138		-	.
139		-	SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 21-2-105, add (3) as
140		-	follows:
141		-	21-2-105. Contracts with attorneys and other legal services
	146	+	MPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE ARE PROHIBITED FROM7
	147	+	PROVIDING DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO RESPONDENT PARENTS .8
	148	+	F
	149	+	OR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC9
	150	+	SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS, AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR , INCLUDING10
	151	+	AN ATTORNEY, A SOCIAL WORKER, A FAMILY ADVOCATE, OR A PARENT11
	152	+	ADVOCATE, WHO IS PROVIDING OR HAS PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO12
	153	+	RESPONDENT PARENTS PURSUANT TO THE CONTRACTOR 'S CONTRACT HAS13
	154	+	A CONFLICT THAT PROHIBITS THE CONTRACTOR FROM PROVIDING THESE14
	155	+	SERVICES AS A STATE EMPLOYEE . THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR 'S15
	156	+	DESIGNEE IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN A CERTIFICATION FOR ANY CURRENT OR16
	157	+	PAST INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE CONTRACTOR17
	158	+	APPEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN18
	159	+	FORGIVENESS AS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS . WITH THE19
	160	+	AUTHORIZATION OF AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR , THE DIRECTOR OR THE20
	161	+	DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE MAY SHARE INFORMATION , INCLUDING THE21
	162	+	CONTRACTOR'S NAME, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR FEDERAL EMPLOYER22
	163	+	IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, AND TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS BILLED BY THE23
	164	+	CONTRACTOR BY CALENDAR YEAR , WITH OTHER JUDICIAL AGENCIES FOR24
	165	+	THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFYING APPARENT PAST , CURRENT, AND FUTURE25
	166	+	ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS ALLOWED BY26
	167	+	FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS .27
	168	+	1374
	169	+	-5- SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 21-2-105, add (3) as1
	170	+	follows:2
	171	+	21-2-105. Contracts with attorneys and other legal services3
142	172		providers. (3) C
143		-	OLORADO RELIES PRIMARILY ON AN INDEPENDENT
144		-	CONTRACTOR MODEL OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR COURT
145		-	-APPOINTED
146		-	ADULT AND YOUTH REPRESENTATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION
147		-	WHEN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
148		-	'S OFFICE HAS A LEGAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
149		-	W
150		-	HILE THE OFFICE OF THE ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL PROVIDES SOME
151		-	LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS ON SOME CASES
152		-	THROUGH STATE EMPLOYEES AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE USE OF
153		-	STATE EMPLOYEE STAFF MODEL SOLUTIONS WHERE FEASIBLE
154		-	, COLORADO'S
155		-	NEED FOR CONFLICT
156		-	-FREE INDIGENT DEFENSE COUNSEL CANNOT BE FILLED
157		-	OR PROVIDED STATEWIDE BY DIRECT EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE OF THE
158		-	ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL
159		-	. FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING
160		-	ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
161		-	, ANY
162		-	INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
163		-	, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A RESOURCE
164		-	ADVOCATE
165		-	, AN INVESTIGATOR, A CASE ASSISTANT, AN ATTORNEY, A SOCIAL
166		-	WORKER
167		-	, A PARALEGAL, OR A LEGAL RESEARCHER , WHO IS CURRENTLY
168		-	PROVIDING OR HAS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES OR SERVICES
169		-	THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY LEGAL TEAM HAS A CONFLICT IN
170		-	PROVIDING THESE SERVICES AS A STATE EMPLOYEE
171		-	. THE DIRECTOR OF THE
172		-	OFFICE OF THE ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL OR THE DIRECTOR
173		-	'S DESIGNEE
174		-	IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN A CERTIFICATION FOR ANY CURRENT OR PAST
175		-	PAGE 4-HOUSE BILL 24-1374 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE CONTRACTOR
176		-	APPEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
177		-	AS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS
178		-	. WITH THE AUTHORIZATION
179		-	OF AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
180		-	, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE
181		-	ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL OR THE DIRECTOR
182		-	'S DESIGNEE MAY SHARE
183		-	INFORMATION
184		-	, INCLUDING THE CONTRACTOR 'S NAME, SOCIAL SECURITY
185		-	NUMBER OR FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
186		-	, AND THE TOTAL
187		-	NUMBER OF HOURS BILLED BY THE CONTRACTOR BY CALENDAR YEAR
188		-	, WITH
189		-	OTHER INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFYING
190		-	APPARENT PAST
191		-	, CURRENT, AND FUTURE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
192		-	LOAN FORGIVENESS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS
193		-	.
194		-	SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
195		-	determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
196		-	preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
197		-	PAGE 5-HOUSE BILL 24-1374 the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state
198		-	institutions.
199		-	____________________________ ____________________________
200		-	Julie McCluskie Steve Fenberg
201		-	SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF
202		-	OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
203		-	____________________________ ____________________________
204		-	Robin Jones Cindi L. Markwell
205		-	CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF
206		-	OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
207		-	APPROVED________________________________________
208		-	(Date and Time)
209		-	_________________________________________
210		-	Jared S. Polis
211		-	GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
212		-	PAGE 6-HOUSE BILL 24-1374
	173	+	OLORADO RELIES PRIMARILY ON AN INDEPENDENT4
	174	+	CONTRACTOR MODEL OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR COURT -APPOINTED5
	175	+	ADULT AND YOUTH REPRESENTATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION6
	176	+	WHEN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER 'S OFFICE HAS A LEGAL CONFLICT OF7
	177	+	INTEREST. WHILE THE OFFICE OF THE ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL8
	178	+	PROVIDES SOME LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS ON9
	179	+	SOME CASES THROUGH STATE EMPLOYEES AND WILL CONTINUE TO10
	180	+	EXPLORE THE USE OF STATE EMPLOYEE STAFF MODEL SOLUTIONS WHERE11
	181	+	FEASIBLE, COLORADO'S NEED FOR CONFLICT-FREE INDIGENT DEFENSE12
	182	+	COUNSEL CANNOT BE FILLED OR PROVIDED STATEWIDE BY DIRECT13
	183	+	EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE OF THE ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL . FOR14
	184	+	THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE15
	185	+	LOAN FORGIVENESS, ANY INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR , INCLUDING, BUT16
	186	+	NOT LIMITED TO, A RESOURCE ADVOCATE , AN INVESTIGATOR, A CASE17
	187	+	ASSISTANT, AN ATTORNEY, A SOCIAL WORKER, A PARALEGAL, OR A LEGAL18
	188	+	RESEARCHER, WHO IS CURRENTLY PROVIDING OR HAS PREVIOUSLY19
	189	+	PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES OR SERVICES THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY20
	190	+	LEGAL TEAM HAS A CONFLICT IN PROVIDING THESE SERVICES AS A STATE21
	191	+	EMPLOYEE. THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE ALTERNATE DEFENSE22
	192	+	COUNSEL OR THE DIRECTOR 'S DESIGNEE IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN A23
	193	+	CERTIFICATION FOR ANY CURRENT OR PAST INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR24
	194	+	THAT CERTIFIES THAT THE CONTRACTOR APPEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR25
	195	+	FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS AS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL26
	196	+	LAW OR REGULATIONS. WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF AN INDEPENDENT27
	197	+	1374
	198	+	-6- CONTRACTOR, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE ALTERNATE DEFENSE1
	199	+	COUNSEL OR THE DIRECTOR 'S DESIGNEE MAY SHARE INFORMATION ,2
	200	+	INCLUDING THE CONTRACTOR 'S NAME, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR3
	201	+	FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER , AND THE TOTAL NUMBER4
	202	+	OF HOURS BILLED BY THE CONTRACTOR BY CALENDAR YEAR , WITH OTHER5
	203	+	INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFYING6
	204	+	APPARENT PAST, CURRENT, AND FUTURE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE7
	205	+	LOAN FORGIVENESS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS .8
	206	+	SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,9
	207	+	determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate10
	208	+	preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for11
	209	+	the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state12
	210	+	institutions.13
	211	+	1374
	212	+	-7-