SB103 HFIN AMT

McO

The Committee on Finance moves to amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

Com. Sub. for S. B. 103 -- “A BILL to amend and reenact §29-21-6 and §29-21-13a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating generally to Public Defender Services;

requiring Public Defender Services to establish and operate a division within the agency for the purpose of prosecuting writs of habeas corpus on behalf of eligible clients in the circuit courts of the state and before the Supreme Court of Appeals upon appointment by a court; transferring initial authority to review, approve, modify, or refuse panel attorney vouchers from circuit courts to Public Defender Services; providing for resubmission or reconsideration of vouchers previously modified or refused; establishing procedures for handling of modified or refused vouchers; maintaining final authority over payment of vouchers with circuit courts; authorizing the Executive Director of Public Defender Services, with approval of the Indigent Defense Commission, to contract for noncriminal legal services; providing for payment of contracts; authorizing agency to reduce or reject vouchers or requests for payment; requiring panel attorneys to maintain time-keeping records to enable the attorney to determine time expended on a daily basis; setting record-keeping standards; requiring prompt processing and payment of vouchers; increasing the rates of compensation for panel attorneys; authorizing payment for in-court paralegal services with prior approval of the circuit court and subject to agency rule regarding maximum reimbursement; authorizing the executive director to promulgate emergency rules; and setting an effective date.”