Bill > S0596

This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to the responsibilities and operations of the offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel. The key provisions include: 1. Expanding the responsibilities of regional counsels to include coordinating witness appearances, accessing confidential information related to proceedings involving children, and obtaining fictitious vehicle registration plates or decals. 2. Removing the requirement that regional counsel employees be governed by the Justice Administrative Commission's classification and salary/benefits plan. 3. Modifying the appointment process for regional counsels, including changes to the Judicial Nominating Commission's role. 4. Allowing regional counsels and their assistants the same ingress/egress rights as public defenders in courthouses. 5. Clarifying that regional counsels can access criminal records and certain confidential information, similar to public defenders, to aid in their representation of indigent clients. 6. Providing regional counsel investigators the same legal authorities as public defender and state attorney investigators when carrying out their official duties. Overall, the bill aims to align the roles and operations of the regional counsel offices more closely with those of public defenders in Florida's judicial system.

Budget and Finance, Justice

Appropriations (Senate), Judiciary (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/596