The bill amends section 27.511 of the Florida Statutes to allow the office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel to appoint attorneys from other regions in cases where a conflict of interest or lack of qualifications arises during the representation of an indigent person facing the death penalty. This new provision requires that the appointed counsel be qualified to handle death penalty cases and mandates that they provide documentation for reimbursement of due process costs to the Justice Administrative Commission. Additionally, regional offices accepting such appointments must submit biannual reports detailing various aspects of the cases they handle, which will be forwarded to the Legislature.

Furthermore, the bill makes a conforming amendment to section 744.331, specifying that when a court appoints an attorney for an alleged incapacitated person, it must choose between the office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel or a private attorney, as outlined in the newly referenced section 27.511(7). The bill also establishes an expiration date for the new provisions on July 1, 2027, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 177 Filed: 744.331