The bill amends Section 815.10 of the Iowa Code regarding the liability of attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants. It specifies that such attorneys are not liable for damages resulting from a conviction unless a court finds that the conviction was due to ineffective assistance of counsel, which must be the proximate cause of the damage. This provision applies to both criminal cases and juvenile or civil proceedings, where liability is contingent upon a determination of ineffective assistance.

Additionally, the bill introduces new legal language stating that any attorney accused of ineffective assistance of counsel will be treated as a state employee under chapter 669, which includes provisions for defense and indemnification as outlined in section 669.21. This change aims to provide further protection for appointed attorneys in the context of their representation of indigent clients.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 815.10
Reprinted: 815.10