AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 3, 2022

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

96

CHAPTER 615

Statutes of 2022

[ Approved by Governor September 27, 2022. Filed with Secretary of State September 27, 2022. ]

Introduced by Senator Becker

February 16, 2022

An act to add Section 15421.1 to the Government Code, relating to state government.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law requires the Governor to appoint a State Public Defender, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The primary responsibilities of the State Public Defender are to represent those persons who are entitled to representation at public expense in specified proceedings and to provide assistance and training to specified attorneys. The State Public Defender, among other things, is authorized to represent any person who is not financially able to employ counsel in specified matters and to appear as a friend of the court, as specified.

This bill would authorize the State Public Defender to administer and award grants to improve indigent defense services.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 15421.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:

15421.1.

The State Public Defender is authorized to administer and award grants to improve indigent defense services.