MO HB2254

Circuit courts must determine indigency status at the time of imposing a death sentence, rather than waiting until a postconviction motion is filed, and must appoint two counsel "without delay" for indigent defendants

Appointed counsel must meet specific qualifications including at least 12 hours of recent death penalty training, 3 years of criminal law experience, 3 years of postconviction experience, participation in at least 5 Class A felony postconviction cases, and 5 years of Missouri Bar membership

Courts may appoint alternative counsel upon a showing of good cause if their background enables proper representation given the seriousness of the penalty and complexity of litigation

Counsel appointed for postconviction proceedings cannot have represented the defendant at trial and cannot represent the defendant on direct appeal

Missouri must comply with additional federal requirements under 28 U.S.C. Sections 2261, 2265, and 28 CFR Section 26.22 regarding postconviction procedures in death penalty cases