Bill > HB59

This bill enacts a new law, R.S. 15:161.1, to establish a specific funding mechanism for the office of the district public defender in the 19th Judicial District Court, which serves East Baton Rouge Parish. This new law clarifies that in addition to any funds provided by the state public defender's office, the district public defender's office is entitled to an expense allowance to cover salaries for public defenders, their support staff like stenographers, clerks, and secretaries, as well as salaries for special officers, investigators, and other employees. It also provides for an expense allowance for operational costs such as stationery, telephone, transportation, travel, postage, and hotel expenses incurred while carrying out official duties. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the governing bodies of each city within East Baton Rouge Parish and the parish itself to contribute from their general funds to cover these expenses, with the costs to be shared proportionally among the parish and its cities as determined by their respective governing authorities.

Justice

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26rs&b=HB59&sbi=y