Nick Schultz
- Democratic
- Assemblymember
- District 44
Author
Existing law grants a defendant the right to counsel in a noncapital case, and requires a defendant to be represented by counsel in a capital case. Existing law requires specified assigned counsel to receive a reasonable sum for compensation and for necessary expenses, as determined by the court, to be paid out of the general fund of the county. This bill would, commencing with contracts for indigent defense services entered into after January 1, 2027, revise the process and require a county or court, when contracting for the provision or administration of indigent defense services, to include certain elements in the contract or other agreement for indigent services, including requirements for compliance with the Office of the State Public Defender's California Standards for Contract and Panel Defense Systems. The bill would specify that, in the absence of a contract for indigent defense services, an agreement for the services shall meet the Office of the State Public Defender's California Standards for Contract and Panel Defense Systems, as specified. The bill would prohibit a county or court from entering into flat fee contracts, as defined, or per case compensation contracts. The bill would require the structure of the contract for indigent defense services to ensure that attorneys have the resources and time necessary to provide competent legal representation. The bill would require counties that contract with a private entity or law firm to manage and provide indigent defense services to provide all those contracts to the Office of the State Public Defender every 2 years. The bill would require counties to ensure that all contracts provide for an hourly rate or the hourly rate equivalent anticipated under the contract, as specified. The bill would make related findings and declarations.
In committee: Held under submission.
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 9. Page 1905.)
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (May 23).
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
Read second time and amended.
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 25).
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.
Read first time. To print.
| Bill Text Versions | Format |
|---|---|
| AB690 | HTML |
| 02/14/25 - Introduced | |
| 03/18/25 - Amended Assembly | |
| 03/27/25 - Amended Assembly | |
| 05/23/25 - Amended Assembly |
| Document | Format |
|---|---|
| 03/24/25- Assembly Public Safety | |
| 04/21/25- Assembly Appropriations | |
| 05/30/25- ASSEMBLY FLOOR ANALYSIS | |
| 06/22/25- Senate Public Safety | |
| 07/11/25- Senate Appropriations |
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