This bill amends the definition of "indigent" in Section 27A of chapter 261 of the General Laws to clarify the criteria for determining indigency. The new definition includes individuals receiving specific types of public assistance, those whose income is 125% or less of the poverty guidelines, and individuals unable to pay legal fees without sacrificing basic necessities. Additionally, it specifies that inmates can only be considered indigent if they comply with certain procedures and the court finds them incapable of making payments.

The bill also revises Section 2A of chapter 211D, mandating that when a court has doubts about a person's indigency status, the chief probation officer or their designee must reassess the individual's financial situation and provide a written report. It removes certain previous requirements and establishes a new subsection that requires the office of the commissioner of probation to submit quarterly reports to legislative committees. These reports will include data on individuals claiming indigency, those determined to be indigent or not, and instances of misrepresentation regarding financial information, thereby enhancing the oversight of indigency verification processes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 261-27A