Relating to compensation for panel attorneys

New requirement for Public Defender Services to submit annual reports on legal services provided by panel attorneys serving as guardians ad litem, including specific metrics on case outcomes, meetings, visits, and billing hours.

Corrected a cross-reference from section 29-21-6(h) to 29-21-6(i) and from 12-8-11 to 12-3-11 in the original version.

Corrected a cross-reference citation from §29-21-6(h) to §29-21-6(i) in the emergency rule-making provision.

Updated a section citation from §12-8-11 to §12-3-11 in another part of the bill.

Attorney compensation rates were reduced from $70 to $60 per hour for out-of-court work and from $90 to $80 per hour for in-court work.

A citation error was corrected in the travel reimbursement section, changing §12-3-11 to §12-8-11.

Removed enrollment certification language, effective date statements, and signature blocks that would appear on the final enrolled version of the bill.

Established specific compensation rates of $70 per hour for out-of-court work and $90 per hour for in-court work, with a maximum cap of $4,500 for most cases.

Requires Public Defender Services to annually provide a report summarizing legal services provided by guardians ad litem to multiple oversight agencies starting December 1, 2025.

Added specific expense reimbursement limits, including $25 maximum for court reporter appearance fees and $30 per hour for investigative services.

Added provisions allowing interim payments to panel attorneys when representation extends beyond six months, subject to executive director discretion.

Added provisions for expungement services, allowing up to $1,000 in compensation and $500 in expenses for expungement proceedings.

Changed the voucher reimbursement deadline from 45 business days to 90 days, with interest accruing after the 90-day period.

Removed website navigation menus, contact forms, and footer links that were mistakenly included in the bill text.