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.