This bill establishes a permanent program known as the project to preserve families (PPF), replacing the previous pilot project focused on child welfare legal representation. The state public defender (SPD) is mandated to administer and maintain the PPF, which aims to assist families involved in the child welfare system by implementing innovative models of legal representation. The bill emphasizes the importance of achieving positive outcomes for families, reducing trauma to young children, and delivering financial benefits to families and their communities.

Additionally, the SPD is granted the authority to coordinate with other agencies and organizations to seek grant funding and analyze the outcomes of the PPF. The bill also allows the SPD to appoint an attorney to represent an indigent person prior to the initiation of formal proceedings, without a court order, if deemed appropriate. The SPD may adopt rules to effectively administer the PPF, ensuring its ongoing operation and effectiveness in supporting families.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13B.13