This bill amends section 27.511 of the Florida Statutes to allow for the appointment of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel from other regions in specific cases, particularly when a conflict of interest or lack of qualifications arises during the representation of an indigent person in death penalty cases. The bill mandates that the appointed counsel provide documentation for reimbursement to the Justice Administrative Commission and requires regional offices accepting such appointments to submit biannual reports detailing various aspects of the cases they handle, including appointment dates, case status, and discovery information. If no qualified counsel is available from another region, private counsel must be appointed instead. This provision is set to expire on July 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill amends section 744.331 to conform a cross-reference regarding the appointment of attorneys for alleged incapacitated persons, specifying that the court must appoint either the office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel or a private attorney from a designated registry. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 762 Filed: 744.331