Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-403: Dependency-neglect attorney contracts

(a) The Division of Dependency-Neglect Representation may enter into a professional services contract with a qualified attorney who: (1) Has previously been employed as an attorney by the state before being appointed to provide representation in dependency-neglect cases by a circuit court; or (2) (A) Is serving as a part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney when the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney has been appointed to provide dependency-neglect services by a circuit court. (B) The part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney is eligible for additional compensation that shall not be construed as exceeding the line item maximum for the grade of the part-time public defender's or other part-time state employee's position when the division reimburses the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney for dependency-neglect representation services performed. (b) This section does not prevent the division from otherwise contracting with any qualified attorney in the state for dependency-neglect cases. Added by Act 2023, No. 122,§ 34, eff. 7/1/2023.

(a) The Division of Dependency-Neglect Representation may enter into a professional services contract with a qualified attorney who: (1) Has previously been employed as an attorney by the state before being appointed to provide representation in dependency-neglect cases by a circuit court; or (2) (A) Is serving as a part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney when the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney has been appointed to provide dependency-neglect services by a circuit court. (B) The part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney is eligible for additional compensation that shall not be construed as exceeding the line item maximum for the grade of the part-time public defender's or other part-time state employee's position when the division reimburses the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney for dependency-neglect representation services performed.

(1) Has previously been employed as an attorney by the state before being appointed to provide representation in dependency-neglect cases by a circuit court; or

(2) (A) Is serving as a part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney when the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney has been appointed to provide dependency-neglect services by a circuit court. (B) The part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney is eligible for additional compensation that shall not be construed as exceeding the line item maximum for the grade of the part-time public defender's or other part-time state employee's position when the division reimburses the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney for dependency-neglect representation services performed.

(A) Is serving as a part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney when the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney has been appointed to provide dependency-neglect services by a circuit court.

(B) The part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney is eligible for additional compensation that shall not be construed as exceeding the line item maximum for the grade of the part-time public defender's or other part-time state employee's position when the division reimburses the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney for dependency-neglect representation services performed.

oyee employed as an attorney is eligible for additional compensation that shall not be construed as exceeding the line item maximum for the grade of the part-time public defender's or other part-time state employee's position when the division reimburses the part-time public defender or other part-time state employee employed as an attorney for dependency-neglect representation services performed.

(b) This section does not prevent the division from otherwise contracting with any qualified attorney in the state for dependency-neglect cases.