(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), participants in the Attorney Diversion and Assistance Program shall be responsible for all expenses relating to treatment and recovery.
(2) Consistent with subdivision (b), funds collected pursuant to Section 6140.9 for the Attorney Diversion and Assistance Program may be used for treatment and recovery services for participants who demonstrate an inability to pay. The State Bar shall develop rules or guidelines to implement this paragraph.
(3) In addition, the State Bar may charge a reasonable administrative fee to participants for the purpose of offsetting the costs of maintaining the program.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) or (3) of subdivision (a), the State Bar shall establish a program to provide financial assistance to licensees and persons eligible for services who otherwise would be denied acceptance into the program solely due to the lack of ability to pay.
(2) The funding for financial assistance shall be drawn exclusively from the ten-dollar ($10) fee paid by each active licensee under Section 6140.9 to support the Attorney Diversion and Assistance Program.
(3) Notwithstanding the goal of providing financial assistance pursuant to paragraph (1), the amount of funding allocated for the purpose of providing financial assistance shall not be allowed to compromise the financial needs of effectively administering the Attorney Diversion and Assistance Program.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 143. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)