Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2624

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees.

Impact

If enacted, HB 2624 will significantly influence the landscape of legal services in the state by providing more accessible options for individuals, particularly those of low income, who may otherwise be unable to afford traditional legal representation. The bill mandates that legal paraprofessionals obtain an occupational license, ensuring that practitioners meet certain educational requirements and ethical standards. This could lead to a more diversified legal workforce, enhancing service delivery in areas of law that serve vulnerable populations.

Summary

House Bill 2624 is aimed at the licensing and regulation of legal paraprofessionals in Texas, establishing formal prerequisites for individuals wishing to provide limited legal services. The bill outlines specific practices that these licensed paraprofessionals can undertake without direct attorney supervision in areas such as family law, estate planning, consumer debt law, and administrative law. It emphasizes the need for a structured regulatory framework that governs the professional conduct and representation capabilities of these paraprofessionals.

Contention

Notably, one point of contention surrounding HB 2624 is the delegation of legal representation to individuals who are not licensed attorneys. Critics may express concerns over potential risks, such as the quality and reliability of legal advice given by paraprofessionals. Additionally, the system's effectiveness in protecting consumers from malpractice or misrepresentation may be challenged, leading to debates about who is ultimately responsible for the legal outcomes of cases handled by paraprofessionals.

Summary_end

Overall, House Bill 2624 has the potential to reshape legal practice in Texas by enhancing the availability of legal services while ensuring that those services are delivered within a framework aimed at protecting public interests and maintaining professional standards.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

  • Chapter 81. State Bar
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 82. Licensing Of Attorneys
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB667

Relating to the licensing and regulation of music therapists; requiring an occupational license; authorizing fees.

TX HB173

Relating to the licensing and regulation of genetic counselors; requiring an occupational license; authorizing a fee.

TX SB484

Relating to the licensing and regulation of genetic counselors; requiring an occupational license; authorizing a fee.

TX HB2057

Relating to the licensing and regulation of lactation consultants and the creation of the Lactation Consultant Advisory Board; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees; providing penalties; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB2556

Relating to the licensing and regulation of physician graduates and the authority of an insured to select a physician graduate under the insured's health insurance policy; requiring an occupational license; authorizing fees.

TX HB2274

Relating to the licensing and regulation of anesthesiologist assistants; requiring an occupational license; providing an administrative penalty; authorizing fees.

TX HB1568

Relating to the licensing and regulation of child swim instruction operators; requiring an occupational license; imposing penalties, including administrative penalties; authorizing fees.

TX HB3827

Relating to the regulation of earned wage access services; requiring an occupational license; providing an administrative penalty; imposing fees.

TX SB765

Relating to the licensing and regulation of child swim instruction operators; requiring an occupational license; imposing penalties, including administrative penalties; authorizing fees.

TX HB3890

Relating to the regulation and voluntary licensing of reroofing contractors by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; providing administrative and civil penalties; authorizing fees.

Similar Bills

TX HB2707

Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees.

TX HB1528

Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees.

TX HB2386

Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals and establishing a legal paraprofessional licensing pilot program; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees.

CO HB1291

Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals

NH HB1343

Allowing limited legal services to be provided by certain paraprofessionals.

TX HB3077

Relating to the regulation of applied behavior analysis paraprofessional technicians; requiring a registration.

NH SB361

Relative to legal services by paraprofessionals.

TX HB4666

Relating to professional development institutes for public school teachers and paraprofessionals regarding education of students with disabilities.