Providing for a task force to address legal services for indigent parties

This bill directs the judicial branch to establish a task force to investigate the statewide delivery of legal services to indigent parties in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse and neglect proceedings and to develop recommendations to improve service delivery, address public defender conflicts of interest, ensure competent representation, identify sustainable funding, and increase the number of qualified attorneys available to serve indigent Iowans. The required members of the task force are specified in the bill. The bill provides that for the period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending November 15, 2030, the task force must convene at least once per year. The bill requires the judicial branch to submit a report to the governor and the general assembly by November 15 each year through 2030.