DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 82 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Mack
Abstract: Adds to the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the La. Public Defender Board.
Present law provides that except for the inherent regulatory authority of the La. Supreme Court
provided for in La. Const. Art. V, ยง5 regarding the regulation of the practice of law, the La. Public
Defender Board shall have all regulatory authority, control, supervision, and jurisdiction, including
auditing and enforcement, and all power incidental or necessary to such regulatory control,
supervision, and jurisdiction over all aspects of the delivery of public defender services throughout
the courts of the state.
Present law further provides for the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the board.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the following powers, duties, and responsibilities of the
board:
(1)Supervise the activities of staff and apply reasonable controls for the supervision of spending,
accounting, and discretionary grants. Authorizes the board to seek the assistance of the
legislative auditor or a private company to ensure staff's discretion is subject to supervision
consistent with the La. Local Government Budget Act. Provides that the attorney-client
privilege that applies to counsel in cases shall apply to all board members and staff for the
review of case details.
(2)Adopt reasonable procedures in compliance with the La. Rules of Professional Conduct for
reviewing and preserving the confidentiality of privileged materials during and after
litigation.
(3)Adopt necessary procedures to protect the strategic choices and confidential work product
of the board when considering important matters of spending.
(Adds R.S. 15:147(B)(17)-(19))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Expand the attorney-client privilege that applies to counsel in cases to apply to all board members and staff for the review of case details.