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IA HSB566

SB

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/15/2026

Primary Sponsor

Judiciary

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

91st General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Converts the state public defender's temporary pilot project for child welfare legal representation into a permanent program called the "Project to Preserve Families"
  • Removes the June 30, 2025 expiration date and eliminates the 16-county limit, allowing statewide implementation
  • Authorizes the state public defender to appoint attorneys to represent indigent persons prior to formal proceedings without a court order
  • Permits coordination with other agencies, seeking grant funding, and analyzing program outcomes to achieve positive results for families and reduce trauma to children
  • Grants the state public defender authority to adopt administrative rules under Chapter 17A to implement the program

Legislative Description

A bill for an act establishing the state public defender's pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the project to preserve families.

Last Action

Committee vote: Yeas, 19. Nays, 0. Excused, 2. H.J. 160.

1/26/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary1/15/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available