BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2289
                                            By: Hirschi (Haywood)
                                                 Criminal Justice
                                                         05-17-95
                                Senate Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

Currently, Wichita County must contract with private attorneys to
provide legal representation for indigents in mental health and
substance abuse cases.  The cost incurred by using private
attorneys is greater than the cost of using public defenders.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2289 requires a public defender or assistance
public defender in Wichita County to represent the mentally ill and
substance abusers in commitment cases.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 26.043(g), Code of Criminal Procedure,
to require the public defender or an assistant public defender to
represent each indigent person in Wichita County who is entitled to
representation under Chapter 462, Title 7C, or Title 7D, Health and
Safety Code.  Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.