TX SB2111

Expands criteria for appointing counsel to indigent defendants with potentially meritorious habeas corpus claims, including claims of actual innocence, guilt of only a lesser offense, conviction under unconstitutional law, or conviction in violation of state or federal constitutions

Requires magistrates to ensure arrested persons can understand and participate in proceedings, including providing interpreters for non-English speakers or deaf individuals, and mandates appointment of counsel if the person cannot comprehend the proceeding due to mental illness or intellectual disability

Extends record retention requirements for magistrate proceedings from 91-120 days to at least two years after final judgment or case termination, and defines videoconference as two-way electronic communication including secure internet videoconferencing

Allows counties to appoint attorneys specifically for initial magistrate appearances, permits public defender offices to hire part-time private criminal attorneys for this purpose, and expands managed assigned counsel programs to include providing investigators, experts, and support services

Authorizes reimbursement for appointed counsel's travel expenses when defendants are confined more than 50 miles from the court, and grants public defender offices and managed assigned counsel programs access to criminal history records and driver's license photos without fees