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IA HF2174
IA HF2174A bill for an act providing for a task force to address legal services for indigent parties.(See HF 2572.)
summary
Introduced
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
In Committee
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill directs the judicial branch to establish a task force to investigate the statewide delivery of legal services to indigent parties in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse and neglect proceedings and to develop recommendations to improve service delivery, address public defender conflicts of interest, ensure competent representation, identify sustainable funding, and increase the number of qualified attorneys available to serve indigent Iowans. The required members of the task force are specified in the bill. The bill provides that for the period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending November 15, 2030, the task force must convene at least once per year. The bill requires the judicial branch to submit a report to the governor and the general assembly by November 15 each year through 2030.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a task force within the judicial branch to address the delivery of legal services to indigent parties, meaning individuals who cannot afford legal representation, in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse and neglect cases across the state. The task force, comprised of various appointees including judges, attorneys, legislators, and law school deans, is charged with identifying current service delivery methods, recommending improvements, and developing strategies to handle conflicts of interest where public defenders might be unable to represent clients. It will also focus on ensuring competent representation, finding sustainable funding sources, and increasing the number of qualified attorneys available for these cases. The task force is required to meet at least annually from July 1, 2026, to November 15, 2030, and the judicial branch must submit annual reports of its findings and recommendations to the governor and the general assembly during this period, after which the task force will be dissolved.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2572. (on 02/17/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF2174 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF2174.html |
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