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Bill > HF2572


IA HF2572

IA HF2572
A bill for an act providing for a task force to address legal services for indigent parties.(Formerly HF 2174.)


summary

Introduced
02/17/2026
In Committee
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 directs the judicial branch to create a task force to examine how legal services are provided to individuals who cannot afford an attorney in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse or neglect cases across the state. The task force, composed of various legal professionals, judges, legislators, and law school representatives, will identify ways to improve these services, address situations where public defenders have conflicts of interest and cannot represent a client, ensure that indigent parties receive competent legal help, find sustainable ways to fund these services, and increase the number of qualified attorneys available. The task force is required to meet at least once a year from July 1, 2026, to November 15, 2030, and the judicial branch must submit an annual report to the governor and the general assembly detailing the task force's findings and recommendations until that date, after which the task force will be dissolved.

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Judiciary (House)

Last Action

Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 317. (on 02/17/2026)

bill text


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