Offices of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel

Clarified that courts can appoint an office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel from another region to represent a defendant if the original office has a conflict of interest or lacks qualifications.

Authorized the Justice Administrative Commission to pay for due process costs and services directly, subject to legislative appropriation, instead of requiring reimbursement from the appointed office.

Added a requirement for appointed counsel to submit documentation certifying that costs are case-related to receive payment or reimbursement from the commission.

Updated cross-references in the statute to reflect the new subsection numbering for the office of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel.

Changed the trigger for appointing regional counsel from the chief judge's discretion to a court appointment following written notice from the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.

Altered the reporting timeline for regional offices to occur biannually starting February 1, 2027, instead of the previous February 1 and August 1 schedule.

Made the appointment of private counsel mandatory when regional offices cannot accept cases, removing previous discretion.

Delayed the effective date of the act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027.