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SCS/SB 163 - This act provides that state legal services programs shall represent individuals to secure lawful state benefits, but shall not use any state funds to sue the state, its agencies, or its officials. The act also provides that contracts for services with state legal services programs shall provide eligible low-income citizens with equal access to the civil justice system, with a high priority on children and families, domestic violence, the elderly, and qualifications for benefits under the Social Security Act. It also provides that state legal services programs must abide by all restrictions and requirements of the federal Legal Services Corporation with regards to cases. Current law provides that the basic civil legal services fund, and Section 488.031, RSMo which establishes surcharges that are credited to the fund, shall expire on December 31, 2007. This act provides that the fund and such surcharges shall expire on December 31, 2012. ALEXA PEARSON
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