Bill Summaries: H374 (2015-2016 Session)

Tracking:
  • Bill H 374 (2015-2016)
    Summary date: Apr 15 2015 - View summary

    House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

    Adds that the system of kiosks in local confinement facilities must include technology allowing meetings between attorneys, clients, and authorized third parties at separate locations (was, between attorneys and their clients) that cannot be monitored or recorded. Adds the requirement that the Office of Indigent Defense Services issue a Request for Proposal from vendors by July 31, 2015. Specifies that the vendor will be chosen for an initial two-year period, will continue to own the kiosks, and will oversee access to the kiosks. Provides that during the two years, attorneys assigned to represent indigent clients will not pay direct costs of using the kiosks. 

    Requires that the savings realized through the use of the kiosk system be used to reduce the carry forward debt incurred through payments to private assigned counsel during 2013-15, and then to the extent that there are additional savings, increase the rates paid to private assigned counsel and contract attorneys.
    Courts/Judiciary, Court System, Government, Budget/Appropriations
    APPROP, STUDY
  • Bill H 374 (2015-2016)
    Summary date: Mar 26 2015 - View summary

    Appropriates $1.6 million for 2015‑16 from the General Fund to the Office of Indigent Defense Services (IDS) to establish a system of fully automated kiosks in certain local confinement facilities to allow attorneys representing indigent defendants to consult with their clients remotely. Requires the system to incorporate technology through which meetings between attorneys and their clients cannot be monitored or recorded, thereby preserving confidentiality. Allows the savings realized by using the system to be used at the discretion of the Commission on Indigent Defense Services to (1) continue funding for the use of the kiosk system or (2) increase the rates paid by the Office of Indigent Defense Services to private assigned counsel during the 2015‑17 fiscal biennium and provide comparable increases for contract attorneys during the 2015‑17 fiscal biennium. Requires IDS to report on the establishment and use of the kiosk system and the corresponding cost savings to the chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety, the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety, and the chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety by February 1 of each year. Effective July 1, 2015.
    Courts/Judiciary, Court System, Government, Budget/Appropriations
    APPROP, STUDY

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