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Bill Summary · HB 924

Summary of HB 924 (Ohio, 136th General Assembly)

Purpose

  • Create and govern the court-appointed public defender loan repayment program. The program aims to recruit and retain attorneys to serve as court-appointed counsel by offering loan repayment assistance for education-related debt incurred while attending US or certain foreign law schools.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment and Administration

    • Establishes the court-appointed public defender loan repayment program.
    • Administered by the State Public Defender (SPD).
    • SPD to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program, including:
    • The application process.
    • Methods to verify applicant information.
    • Procedures to handle public inquiries.
    • Regulatory restrictions adopted under this program are not subject to certain standard regulatory review provisions (exemption from some sections 121.95–121.953).
    • Creation of a dedicated loan repayment fund in the state treasury to support program operations (see Sec. 120.092).

  • Loan Repayment Commitment

    • SPD may repay up to $50,000 of a government or other educational loan for an eligible individual.
    • Eligibility requires:
    • Employment as court-appointed counsel under:
      • Division (E) of section 120.16, or
      • Division (E) of section 120.26 of the Revised Code.
    • The education expenses must have been incurred while enrolled in:
      • A US law school accredited by the ABA (American Bar Association), or
      • A foreign law school for which the individual received a foreign equivalency evaluation.

  • Applicant Requirements (Section 120.091)

    • An individual may apply if they:
    • Are employed as court-appointed counsel for at least 1,000 hours per year for:
      • Ten consecutive years, or
      • Fifteen nonconsecutive years within a 20-year period.
    • Are not enrolled in any other state or federally funded loan repayment or debt forgiveness program (explicitly including the John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act and the Rural Practice Incentive Program).
    • Have made required monthly loan payments that:
      • Began after October 1, 2007.
      • Cover the full amount due, as shown on the bill.
      • Were paid within 15 days after the due date.
      • Were made during their employment as court-appointed counsel under the specified sections.
    • Application materials must include:
    • Applicant’s name and contact information.
    • Employer information (under the specified sections).
    • A summary and verification of educational expenses for which repayment is sought.
    • Verification of admission to the practice of law in Ohio and current good standing.

Funding (Sec. 120.092)

  • The court-appointed public defender loan repayment fund is created in the state treasury.
  • The fund will consist of:
    • All money donated, given as gifts, or bequeathed for the program.
    • All other money received for implementing and administering Sections 120.09 to 120.092.
  • The SPD is responsible for using the fund to implement and administer the program.

Who Is Affected

  • Attorneys who are employed as court-appointed counsel under the specified divisions of the Revised Code.
  • Law graduates with educational loans incurred for US ABA-accredited or eligible foreign law schools.
  • Public defender system stakeholders and the state treasury (fund management).

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • The bill outlines a process for applications (Section 120.091) and regulatory implementation (Section 120.09(C)).
  • There is no explicit sunset or renewal date in the text provided; rules and fund management would begin upon enactment and subsequent rule adoption by the SPD.
  • The program specifies minimum service-hour thresholds (10 consecutive years or 15 nonconsecutive years within 20 years) to qualify for loan repayment benefits.

Summary Assessment

HB 924 creates a targeted loan repayment program to incentivize lawyers to serve as court-appointed counsel by offering up to $50,000 in loan repayment, subject to service requirements and compliance with existing state loan payment histories. It establishes a dedicated fund and a framework of rules to administer the program, while excluding certain regulatory oversight provisions for its rules. The bill is designed to address workforce needs in the court-appointed counsel system by leveraging education debt relief.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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