By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 1353
(Coleman)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision and administration of indigent defense
services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 79.037, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read
as follows:
(b) The commission shall distribute funds as described
[required] by Subsection (a)(2) or (e) based on the applicable [a]
county's compliance with standards adopted by the board and the
county's demonstrated commitment to compliance with the
requirements of state law relating to indigent defense.
(c) The board shall adopt policies to ensure that funds
under Subsection (a)(2) or (e) are allocated and distributed [to
counties] in a fair manner.
(e) The commission may award a grant to an entity described
by Section 791.013 that provides to a county administrative
services under an interlocal contract entered into for the purpose
of providing or improving the provision of indigent defense
services in the county. The commission shall monitor each entity
that receives a grant under this subsection and enforce compliance
with the conditions of the grant in the same manner as if the grant
were awarded directly to a county under Subsection (a)(2).
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 79, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 79.040 to read as follows:
Sec. 79.040. INDIGENT DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEM. (a) By
entering into an interlocal contract with one or more counties
under Chapter 791, the commission may participate and assist
counties in the creation, implementation, operation, and
maintenance of a computerized system to be used to assist those
counties in the provision and administration of indigent defense
services and to be used to collect data from those counties
regarding representation of indigent defendants in this state.
(b) The commission may use appropriated funds to pay costs
incurred under an interlocal contract described by Subsection (a),
including license fees, implementation costs, maintenance and
operations costs, administrative costs, and any other costs
specified in the interlocal contract.
(c) The commission may provide training services to
counties on the use and operation of a system created, implemented,
operated, or maintained by one or more counties under Subsection
(a).
(d) Subchapter L, Chapter 2054, does not apply to an
indigent defense information system created under this section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.