MS HB1637

Appropriates $3,271,486.00 from the State General Fund to the Office of State Public Defender for fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020).

Authorizes 25 permanent full-time positions for the Office of State Public Defender.

Allocates $278,500.00 within the appropriation for Indigent Parental Representation to contract with attorneys representing indigent parents or guardians in abuse, neglect, or termination of parental rights proceedings.

Establishes performance targets for Capital Defense cases including 75% of trial cases opened in less than one year and maintaining an average of 8.20 reversals due to ineffective assistance of counsel.

Requires the agency to maintain detailed accounting and personnel records consistent with Fiscal Year 2019 standards and submit comparable budget documentation for Fiscal Year 2021.