Increases compensation for panel attorneys of the Public Defender Services and requires annual reporting on services provided.

This bill increases compensation for panel attorneys of the Public Defender Services, setting rates for out-of-court and in-court work at $60 and $80 per hour, respectively. It also raises the maximum reimbursement for legal representation expenses to $2,500 for most cases and $4,500 for felonies with a life imprisonment penalty. The bill mandates that Public Defender Services annually publish compensation rates and report to specified state agencies on legal services provided by panel attorneys, including averages for case numbers, in-person visits, and hours billed.

Increases compensation for panel attorneys of the Public Defender Services and requires annual reporting on services provided.

This bill increases compensation for panel attorneys of the Public Defender Services, setting rates for out-of-court and in-court work at $60 and $80 per hour, respectively. It also raises the maximum reimbursement for legal representation expenses to $2,500 for most cases and $4,500 for felonies with a life imprisonment penalty. The bill mandates that Public Defender Services annually publish compensation rates and report to specified state agencies on legal services provided by panel attorneys, including averages for case numbers, in-person visits, and hours billed.