Generally revise the proceedings in which a public defender may be assigned
HB 575 revises the circumstances under which a public defender may be assigned in court proceedings. It specifically authorizes courts to assign a public defender to a parent facing involuntary termination of their parental rights. The bill also allows courts to order a public defender to serve as a member of a treatment court team. These changes expand the scope of public defender services to include these specific situations.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 19, 2025
Signed May 19, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB0575_X(2).pdf
→
HB0575_X(3).pdf
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill amends the statewide public defender system by clarifying the director's authority to divide the state into public defender regions and establishing protocols for timely assignment of counsel. The changes focus on operational structure rather than altering who qualifies for legal aid or funding levels.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on the administration of the public defender system, with no changes to the types of cases covered or the definition of indigence.
REQUIREMENT
Clarified that the director must approve a strategic plan and divide the state into no more than 11 public defender regions.
Added a requirement for the director to establish protocols ensuring public defender offices make appropriate assignments in a timely manner.
TECHNICAL
Minor formatting adjustments to spacing and indentation within the statutory text.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2025 · House Mar 1, 2025
How they voted
25–24
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 50
Apr 28, 2025
D
Democratic18
94% Yea
R
Republican32
71% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
44
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (25-24-1)
senate
Apr 9, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 1, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (68-29-3)
house
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Peter Strand
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 575
Scope: MT
Hi! I can help you understand HB 575. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline