IA HF2572

Judicial branch required to establish a task force to study and recommend improvements to legal services delivery for indigent parties in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse/neglect proceedings statewide

Task force must identify how services are currently delivered, recommend methods for handling conflict-of-interest cases where public defenders cannot represent clients, and ensure competent representation

12-member task force includes appointees from the chief justice, governor, attorney general, state public defender, Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Association for Justice, county attorneys association, Drake and University of Iowa law school deans, and one legislator each from the House and Senate

Task force operates from July 1, 2026, through November 15, 2030, meeting at least annually with reports due to the governor and general assembly by November 15 each year

Members serve without compensation but may receive expense reimbursement; the task force automatically dissolves November 15, 2030