MS HB1383

Appropriates $3,315,298.00 from the State General Fund to the Office of State Public Defender for fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022).

Authorizes 25 permanent full-time positions for the agency.

Designates $278,500.00 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 including 75% of trial cases opened within one year and limiting reversals due to ineffective assistance of counsel.

Requires the agency to maintain accounting and personnel records in the same format and detail as fiscal year 2021 and to report on achievement of performance targets in the fiscal year 2023 budget request.