Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding public defense for indigent persons in this state.

Prior to establishment of the Office of the State Public Defender in 2023, counties were responsible to pay for representation for indigent individuals. This legislation provides clarification that the Office of the State Public Defender now has responsibility to provide coverage and payment for representation for which counties had responsibility prior to the creation of the Office of the State Public Defender, as well as any statutorily required coverage. This bill also creates a fund to coordinate statewide payments for Guardian Ad Litem representation previously paid by individual counties. A separate account is necessary to ensure a delineation from any funds for representation of indigent individuals in other cases.