ENTITLED An Act to require the Unified Judicial System to assemble a task force to address the provision of legal services to indigent parties within the South Dakota court system and to declare an emergency.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. The Unified Judicial System shall assemble a task force consisting of the following thirteen members to examine the delivery of legal services to indigent parties in the South Dakota court system.

Section 2. The task force shall be composed of four members appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, three county representatives appointed by the Association of County Commissioners, two members in good standing of the South Dakota Bar Association with experience in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse and neglect cases appointed by the president of the State Bar Association, two legislators, one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, and a state's attorney and a member of the attorney general's office appointed by the attorney general.

Section 3. The task force examination must include the following:

(1) Identifying how legal services are delivered in South Dakota to indigent parties in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse and neglect proceedings statewide;

(2) Recommending ways to improve the delivery of legal services to indigent parties;

(3) Recommending methods to provide services for conflict cases where local public defenders may be unable to take cases;

(4) Addressing how to ensure competent representation is provided to indigent parties; and

(5) Identifying potential funding options to ensure delivery of legal services for indigent parties.

Section 4. The Unified Judicial System shall present findings of the task force to the Governor and to the Legislature no later than November 15, 2023.

Section 5. All expenses incurred in carrying out the work of the task force shall be paid out of funds appropriated or otherwise provided to the Unified Judicial System.

Section 6. Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.

An Act to require the Unified Judicial System to assemble a task force to address the provision of legal services to indigent parties within the South Dakota court system and to declare an emergency.

I certify that the attached Act originated in the: House as Bill No. 1064 Chief Clerk Speaker of the House Attest: Chief Clerk President of the Senate Attest: Secretary of the Senate House Bill No. 1064 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________, 2023 at ____________M. By for the Governor The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2023 Governor STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________, 2023 at _________ o'clock __M. Secretary of State By Asst. Secretary of State