House Bill No. introduced by P. Strand aims to revise the proceedings in which a public defender may be assigned, specifically expanding the circumstances under which a public defender can be appointed. The bill authorizes courts to assign public defenders for parents in cases involving the involuntary termination of parental rights and allows for public defenders to serve as members of treatment court teams. The bill amends Section 47-1-104 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include these provisions, ensuring that public defenders are available in a broader range of legal situations.

Key amendments include the addition of a new provision that allows for the assignment of a public defender for a parent in a proceeding to involuntarily terminate parental rights, as well as the insertion of language permitting public defenders to serve on treatment court teams. Additionally, the bill clarifies existing provisions regarding the assignment of public defenders in various legal contexts, including those involving financial inability to retain private counsel and cases where individuals are entitled to counsel regardless of their financial status. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 47-1-104
HB0575_1(1): 47-1-104
HB0575_1: 47-1-104