Legal Research

    21    Section  1.  The  chief  administrator  of the courts shall promulgate

    22  rules regarding compliance with caseload standards for attorneys and law

    23  offices providing representation to indigent clients in criminal matters

    24  pursuant to article 18-B of the county law in cities with  a  population

    25  of  over  one  million  with caseload standards deemed reasonable by the

    26  chief administrator of the courts. Such rules shall provide for a 4-year

    27  phased plan of implementation, beginning on April 1, 2010 and  resulting

    28  in ongoing compliance after March 31, 2014. The plan for compliance with

    29  caseload  standards  shall  allow  for  adjustment  each year, and shall

    30  consider, on an ongoing basis, the future projections  of  caseload,  as

    31  well  as  the  number  of attorneys available to accept cases. The chief

    32  administrator may request funds  necessary  to  assist  in  meeting  the

    33  prescribed  standards as part of the annual budget request of the office

    34  of court administration. However,  nothing  in  this  section  shall  be

    35  deemed  to require the legislature to approve such request, nor create a

    36  liability requiring the state to provide the funding necessary to ensure

    37  compliance with the standards set by such rules.

    38    § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.