The bill amends RCW 2.70.020 to clarify the activities that the Office of Public Defense (OPD) may engage in without providing direct representation to clients. It reaffirms the OPD's role in administering state-funded services related to indigent defense, including trial court criminal defense, appellate defense, and representation in dependency cases, among others. The bill also establishes new provisions that allow the OPD to provide initial telephonic or video consultation services and to manage attorneys who can offer limited short-term coverage when contracted counsel is unavailable.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the OPD may facilitate the placement of law clerks and interns with contracted counsel and allows employees to provide pro bono legal services, provided they do so in their personal capacity and not as representatives of the OPD. The bill includes a requirement for employees to obtain written statements from pro bono clients acknowledging that the state is not liable for any claims arising from these services. The previous prohibition on the OPD providing direct representation has been retained, with the new language emphasizing the limited scope of services that can be provided under specific circumstances.