1. (a) The pro bono legal services fund is established. The state comptroller shall administer the fund.

2. (b) The fund consists of distributions of pro bono legal services fees under:

   1. (1) IC 33-34-8-3 (b)(1)(F);
   2. (2) IC 33-37-7-2 (l); or
   3. (3) IC 33-37-7-8 (i).

3. (c) The state comptroller shall transfer semiannually the pro bono legal services fees in the fund to the Indiana Bar Foundation (or a successor entity) as the entity designated to organize and administer the interest on lawyers trust accounts (IOLTA) program under Rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Indiana supreme court. The Indiana Bar Foundation shall:

   1. (1) deposit in an appropriate account and otherwise manage the fees the Indiana Bar Foundation receives under this subsection in the same manner the Indiana Bar Foundation deposits and manages the net earnings the Indiana Bar Foundation receives from IOLTA accounts; and

   2. (2) use the fees the Indiana Bar Foundation receives under this subsection to assist or establish approved pro bono legal services programs.

      The handling and expenditure of the pro bono legal services fees received under this section by the Indiana Bar Foundation (or its successor entity) are subject to audit by the state board of accounts.

4. (d) Money in the fund and any interest that accrues to the fund remain in the fund and do not revert to the state general fund.
5. (e) Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to carry out the transfers required under subsection (c).

As added by P.L.201-2023, SEC.259. Amended by P.L.9-2024, SEC.509; P.L.213-2025, SEC.303.