This bill amends 12 O.S. 2021, Section 921.1, to expand the scope of the Legal Services Revolving Fund to include representation for indigent persons in forcible entry and detainer actions, commonly known as evictions. The Attorney General is tasked with allocating funds from this revolving fund to provide legal representation in civil legal matters, ensuring that these services are available to indigent clients across all seventy-seven counties in Oklahoma. The bill emphasizes the prioritization of family law legal services, particularly in cases involving domestic and family violence, while also including provisions for residential tenants facing eviction.
Additionally, the bill outlines specific restrictions on the use of these funds, prohibiting their allocation for various activities, including criminal proceedings and legal services related to abortion or school desegregation. The bill also mandates that organizations receiving these funds must determine the eligibility of individuals seeking legal services and maintain proper accounting records, subject to annual audits. The effective date for this act is set for November 1, 2025.