MS HB1639

Appropriates $3,661,718 from the State General Fund to the Office of State Public Defender for fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024)

Authorizes 25 permanent positions and 0 time-limited positions for the office

Designates $278,500 specifically for the Indigent Parental Representation program to contract with certified attorneys representing indigent parents in abuse, neglect, or termination of parental rights cases

Establishes performance targets for capital defense including 75% of trial cases opened within one year and maintaining an average of 8 reversals due to ineffective assistance of counsel

Requires the agency to maintain detailed accounting and personnel records and give purchasing preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are otherwise equal