MS HB1497

Appropriates $3,094,606.00 from the State General Fund for the Office of State Public Defender for fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018).

Authorizes 25 permanent full-time positions for the office.

Allocates $200,000.00 of the appropriated funds specifically for Indigent Parental Representation.

Requires the agency to achieve performance targets including opening 75% of capital defense trial cases within one year and maintaining an average of 7.60 reversals due to ineffective assistance of counsel.

Mandates the agency maintain accounting and personnel records in the same format and detail as fiscal year 2017, and submit budget requests comparable to fiscal year 2018 procedures.