(a) Legal counsel and services for the secretary in all administrative hearings and all proceedings in any circuit court and the Supreme Court of Appeals shall be provided by the Attorney General, his or her assistants or an attorney employed by the secretary in proceedings in any circuit court by the prosecuting attorney of the county as well, all without additional compensation.
(b) The Governor may appoint counsel for the secretary who shall perform such legal services in representing the interests of residents in assisted living residences in matters under the jurisdiction of the secretary as the Governor shall direct. It shall be the duty of such counsel to appear for the residents in all cases where they are not represented by counsel. The compensation of such counsel shall be fixed by the Governor.