S.B. 100 Enrolled

1

LAW LIBRARY SELF-HELP CENTER
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart
5 House Sponsor: V. Lowry Snow
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill creates a law library self-help center for patrons of the courts.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . creates a self-help center within a court's law library;
13 . requires that the self-help center be staffed by licensed attorneys;
14 . allows the self-help center staff to assist court patrons in obtaining and filling out
15 documents; and
16 . provides that self-help center staff are to:
17 . answer questions regarding the court process, law, and options;
18 . provide information, but not give legal advice; and
19 . offer resources regarding the law library and other avenues for legal assistance.
20 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21 None
22 Other Special Clauses:
23 None
24 Utah Code Sections Affected:
25 ENACTS:
26 9-7-313, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27
28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 9-7-313 is enacted to read:

30 9-7-313. Law library self-help center.
31 (1) The Utah State Law Library shall establish a statewide self-help center to assist
32 self-represented parties to achieve fair and efficient resolution of their cases.
33 (2) The self-help center shall be staffed or directed by persons admitted to the practice
34 of law in this state. Self-help center personnel may not represent parties or give legal advice.
35 (3) The self-help center shall provide to the public and all parties:
36 (a) information about:
37 (i) the availability of mediation services, and legal advice and representation through
38 pro bono legal services;
39 (ii) low cost legal services;
40 (iii) legal aid programs; and
41 (iv) lawyer referral services;
42 (b) information about resources provided by law libraries;
43 (c) court forms and instructions, and help completing forms;
44 (d) answers to questions about the law, court process, and options; and
45 (e) educational materials and other services consistent with the purpose of this statute
46 and the direction of the Judicial Council, including programs in other agencies and
47 organizations.