Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funding for the state public defenders office.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, providing for its powers and duties (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes more specialized advisory committees within the commission and provides for their powers and duties (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the committee shall be made up of the following individuals (Sec. 1): 

• The executive director of the Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness, or a designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio and nonvoting member;

• The executive director of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania or a designee;

• The executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, or a designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio and nonvoting member;

• The executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, or a designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio and nonvoting member;

• The Commonwealth Victim Advocate, or a designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio and nonvoting member;

• The executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, or a designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio and nonvoting member;

• The executive director of the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission, or a designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio and nonvoting member;

• An individual appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate;

• An individual appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

• An individual appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

• Members chosen by the rest of legislature, defense attorneys, and appointees by the supreme court (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that members of the committee will serve a four year term (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a majority of the committee is considered a quorum and that all actions require a quorum (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this committee will first meet 60 days after the passage of this act (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the members of the committee shall not receive compensation but will be reimbursed for costs incurred in carrying out duties (Sec. 1).

• Requires the committee to propose minimum standards for indigent defense services and attorneys providing indigent defense services throughout the state  (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the Indigent Defense Grant Program (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text