(a) As used in this section, 'qualified attorney' means an attorney who: (1) Has previously been employed as an attorney by the state regardless of the limitation provided under § 19-11-709(d); or(2) Is currently serving as a part-time public defender or is otherwise employed by the state as an attorney on a part-time basis.(b) The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts may employ or enter into a professional service contract with a qualified attorney to serve as a specialty court team member and to represent specialty court participants.(c) The fees for contracted services provided by a qualified attorney under subsection (a) of this section shall be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose to the Administrative Office of the Courts.(d)(1) A qualified attorney who is employed or contracted by the Administrative Office of the Courts under this section is eligible for additional compensation.(2) Additional compensation received for service under this section as a specialty court team member or to represent specialty court participants shall not be construed as exceeding the line-item maximum for the grade of the qualified attorney's other part-time position, if ecialty court team member or to represent specialty court participants shall not be construed as exceeding the line-item maximum for the grade of the qualified attorney's other part-time position, if any.(e) Any funds appropriated for the purpose of this section remaining on June 30 shall be retained by the Administrative Office of the Courts and may be distributed after July 1 as supplemental funding to be used for the expansion or establishment of specialty court programs in circuit courts.Added by Act 2023, No. 659,§ 118, eff. 1/1/2024.
Arkansas Legal Code