1. (1) The Department of Public Advocacy shall consist of the public advocate, deputy public advocate, general counsel, assistant public advocates as the public advocate shall deem necessary, and secretarial and other personnel as the public advocate shall deem necessary.

   1. (a) The public advocate shall:
2. (2) 1. Be appointed by the Governor from a list of three (3) attorneys submitted to him or her by the Public Advocacy Commission; 2. Be an attorney licensed to practice law in Kentucky with at least five (5) years of experience in the practice of law; 3. Be excepted from the classified service; 4. Be the chief administrator of the Department of Public Advocacy and an 5. appointing authority as defined in KRS 18A.005; and Serve a term of four (4) years, which is renewable, unless removed by the Governor.
3. (b) The incumbent public advocate shall serve until a successor is nominated by the commission and approved by the Governor. The compensation of the public advocate shall be set by KRS 64.640.

4. (3) The deputy public advocate shall:

   1. (a) Be an attorney;
   2. (b) Be appointed by the public advocate; and
   3. (c) Serve at the pleasure of the public advocate.

5. (4) The general counsel shall:

   1. (a) Be an attorney;
   2. (b) Be appointed by the public advocate;
   3. (c) Serve at the pleasure of the public advocate; and
   4. (d) Represent the interests of the department as directed by the public advocate.

6. (5) The assistant public advocates shall:

   1. (a) Be attorneys;
   2. (b) Be appointed by the public advocate;
   3. (c) Be covered by the merit system; and
   4. (d) Not be subject to KRS 12.210.
7. (6) Secretarial, clerical, and other personnel shall be appointed by the public advocate and shall be covered by the merit system.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 136, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 151, sec. 3, effective July 12, 2012. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 377, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 155, sec. 20, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 74, Art. V. sec. 4; and ch. 358, sec. 1. -- Created 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 353, sec. 2.