HB 1528

relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal
paraprofessionals; requiring an occupational license; imposing
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  The heading to Subtitle G, Title 2, Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBTITLE G. ATTORNEYS AND LEGAL PARAPROFESSIONALS
SECTION 2.  The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 81,
Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE
SECTION 3.  Chapter 81, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E-3 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E-3. LEGAL PARAPROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE
Sec. 81.0891.  DISCIPLINARY JURISDICTION AND RULES.  (a)
Each legal paraprofessional admitted to practice in this state is
subject to the disciplinary and disability jurisdiction of the
supreme court and the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, a committee
(b)  The Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda
established under Subchapter E-1 shall propose and the supreme
court shall adopt rules of professional conduct applicable to legal
paraprofessionals under Subchapter E-1.
(c)  In furtherance of the supreme court's powers to
supervise the conduct of legal paraprofessionals, the court shall
establish disciplinary and disability procedures for legal
paraprofessionals licensed by the court.
SECTION 4.  The heading to Chapter 82, Government Code, is
CHAPTER 82. LICENSING OF ATTORNEYS AND LEGAL PARAPROFESSIONALS
SECTION 5.  Chapter 82, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. LICENSING OF LEGAL PARAPROFESSIONALS
Sec. 82.151.  SUPREME COURT RULEMAKING.  (a)  The supreme
court may adopt rules relating to an individual's eligibility for
examination for issuance of a legal paraprofessional license and to
the manner in which the examination is conducted.
(b)  The supreme court shall adopt rules necessary to
administer its functions relating to the licensing of legal
paraprofessionals under this subchapter.
Sec. 82.152.  BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS DUTIES.  (a)  In
addition to its duties under Section 82.004, the Board of Law
Examiners, acting under the instruction of the supreme court, shall
examine the qualification of each candidate for licensure as a
(b)  The Board of Law Examiners may not recommend any
individual for a legal paraprofessional license unless the
individual demonstrates to the board, in the manner the supreme
court prescribes, that the individual has the moral character and
proper capacity and qualifications for licensure as a legal
Sec. 82.153.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.  To be eligible for
licensure as a legal paraprofessional, an applicant must:
(2)  hold a high school diploma or high school
(3)  be authorized to work in the United States;
(4)  satisfy at least one of the following
(A)  hold a paralegal certificate issued by:
(i)  the Board of Law Examiners;
(ii)  the National Association of Legal
(iii)  the National Federation of Paralegal
(B)  have successfully completed a paralegal
education program approved by the American Bar Association or the
(C)  have at least five years' employment
experience as a paralegal with at least 50 percent of the
applicant's workload consisting of substantive legal work; or
(D)  hold a bachelor's degree or a graduate or
professional degree conferred by an accredited institution of
(5)  be of good moral character and fitness;
(6)  have successfully completed an examination
administered by the Board of Law Examiners for a legal
(7)  pay appropriate application, licensing,
examination, and enrollment fees.
Sec. 82.154.  PROBATIONARY PERIOD.  An attorney licensed in
this state shall supervise a licensed legal paraprofessional for a
period not to exceed one year after the issuance date of the
paraprofessional's initial license.  The supreme court shall adopt
rules regarding the supervisory requirement under this section.
Sec. 82.155.  LIMITED PRACTICE OF LAW BY LICENSED LEGAL
PARAPROFESSIONAL.  (a)  Except as provided by Section 82.154, a
legal paraprofessional licensed under this subchapter may
represent a client without attorney supervision in a civil suit
filed in a justice court in this state, including by:
(1)  preparing, litigating, and settling the suit;
(2)  communicating with an opposing party or with an
attorney representing an opposing party;
(3)  perfecting an appeal of a court judgment; and
(4)  administering post-judgment collections,
(b)  The supreme court by rule may authorize a legal
paraprofessional licensed under this subchapter to engage in
additional duties relating to the limited practice of law.
Sec. 82.156.  REQUIREMENTS OF REPRESENTATION.  To represent
a client under Section 82.155, a legal paraprofessional licensed
(1)  obtain a self-certification affidavit or unsworn
declaration under Chapter 132, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
signed by the client indicating the client has low income;
(2)  execute a written agreement with the client
explaining the licensed legal paraprofessional is not an attorney
and describing the limited scope of the paraprofessional's
(3)  provide the client with a brochure approved by the
state bar explaining the steps for reporting potential concerns
with the legal paraprofessional's representation or violations of
rules governing the paraprofessional's professional conduct.
SECTION 6.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
(1)  the Texas Supreme Court shall adopt the rules
necessary to implement this Act; and
(2)  the State Bar of Texas shall approve a brochure as
required under Section 82.156(3), Government Code, as added by this
SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.