LA HB447

Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board may conduct meetings via electronic means under R.S. 42:17.2, limited to no more than two regularly scheduled electronic meetings per calendar year

District public defenders contracting with the state public defender office are classified as independent contractors, not agents of the state public defender office or the state of Louisiana

Hearing and investigation rights for district public defenders are restricted to disciplinary actions or early contract terminations; no hearing rights exist when annual contracts are simply not renewed

State public defender receives sole authority over contracting decisions for legal services delivery, with the Oversight Board's role limited to determining whether early contract terminations meet "just cause" standards

Clerks of court are prohibited from charging or collecting fees for writ applications or appeals when the applicant or appellant has been determined to be indigent