THE PROPOSED BILL WOULD ESTABLISH THE STATE BAR AS THE AGENCY TO REGULATE AND ACCREDIT TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR PARALEGALS AND TO DEVELOP AND ENFORCE LICENSING PROCEDURES. THE ISSUE IS IMPORTANT SINCE USE OF PARALEGALS IS THE KEY FACTOR IN DELIVERING CHEAP AND EFFICIENT LEGAL SERVICES TO ALL CITIZENS, INCLUDING LOWER INCOME PERSONS WHO ARE USUALLY NOT ABLE TO AFFORD SUCH SERVICES. THE NATIONAL PARALEGAL INSTITUTE AND A GROUP OF LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEYS AND PARALEGALS AGREED TO OPPOSE THE BILL, STATING THESE REASONS: (1) TRAINING PROGRAMS AND METHODS OF TEACHING PARALEGALS ARE IN DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES, AND IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO ESTABLISH FORMAL ACCREDITING PROCEDURES; (2) MANY PERSONS ATTENDING PARALEGAL PROGRAMS COME FROM THE LOWER CLASS OR MINORITY POPULATIONS AND FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PASS EXAMINATIONS GEARED TO WHITE, MIDDLE-CLASS VALUES, MAKING IT LIKELY THAT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS WOULD DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THEM; (3) THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD SOLICIT THE VIEWS OF PRACTICING PARALEGALS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PUBLIC INTEREST LAWYERS, AND THE PUBLIC ITSELF BEFORE DECIDING ON THE LICENSING AND ACCREDITING ISSUE; AND (4) THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON ACCREDITING HAS RECOMMENDED THAT ACCREDITATION POLICIES BE DETERMINED BY NATIONAL BODIES RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST PARTIES, FINDING IT INAPPROPRIATE TO PLACE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCREDITING AND LICENSING PARALEGALS IN THE HANDS OF THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION. (DAG)