HB328 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cynthia Lee AlmondAlabama Public Service Commission

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

National Guard; legal services office and legal assistance program created

Summary

HB328 would create the Alabama National Guard Legal Services Office and Legal Assistance Program to provide in-house, no-cost legal help to Guard members and their families.

What This Bill Does

Two new chapters (2B and 2C) would be added to Title 31 to establish the Legal Services Office and the Legal Assistance Program with defined staff, duties, and procedures. Judge advocates and paralegals would be authorized to perform notary acts under specific circumstances. The program would be overseen by the Adjutant General and coordinated with the Office of General Counsel, including training, ethics standards, and supervision of staff. Eligible Alabama National Guard members, retirees, employees, and their dependents would receive legal assistance at no cost, though the state would not cover certain costs like court or filing fees, and services could be limited during emergencies or due to resource constraints.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Alabama National Guard members, retirees, employees, and their dependents who would receive information, assistance, and no-cost legal services to manage personal legal affairs and access preventive law resources.
• Group 2: Judge advocates, paralegals, civilian attorneys, and other Legal Services Office staff who would operate and supervise the Legal Services Office and Legal Assistance Program, including notary authority and required training.

Key Provisions

• Add Chapters 2B and 2C to Title 31 to create the Alabama National Guard Legal Services Office and the Alabama National Guard Legal Assistance Program, with defined composition, duties, policies, and procedures.
• The Legal Services Office shall be a joint office shared by the Alabama Army and Air National Guard; state staff judge advocates will serve for both components and provide independent legal advice across military justice, state military operations, contracts, fiscal law, civil law, environmental law, and related areas; the office will develop policies and supervise personnel and resources.
• The Office of General Counsel and a Chief Information Officer role will supervise and guide the legal services structure, oversee litigation and contracts, develop manuals, and ensure ethical standards and training for all staff.
• The Legal Assistance Program will be modeled on applicable federal regulations (AR 27-3, AFI 51-304, AFI 51-504), provide free services to eligible clients, offer preventive law publications, training, and coordination with bar associations, and may limit services during emergencies or based on resources.
• Notary authority will be allowed for judge advocates and paralegals under specified federal and state authorities; costs for notary commissions may be reimbursed with approval; notary services to clients are provided at no charge, and acts are valid in Alabama.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Military