MS HB1763

Appropriates $4,373,202.00 from the State General Fund to the Office of State Public Defender for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).

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

Allocates $446,521.00 for three full-time assistant public defenders, $422,500.00 for indigent parental representation services, and $235,926.00 for a Youth Defender and legal assistant position.

Reappropriates $60,000.00 from the Capital Expense Fund for the Hinds County Public Defender's Office, contingent on unexpended balances from the previous fiscal year.

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