HB38 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Indigent Defense Advisory Boards, immunity for board members, annual meetings required, governing rules to be adopted by the Office of Indigent Defense Services, Sec. 15-12-4 am'd.

Summary

HB38 would require annual meetings, grant civil immunity to advisory board members, and let the Office of Indigent Defense Services set rules for the boards.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 15-12-4 to require each circuit's voluntary indigent defense advisory board to meet at least once per year, rather than quarterly. It provides civil immunity for actions taken by board members while performing their advisory duties. It authorizes the Office of Indigent Defense Services to adopt rules governing the boards' activities. It preserves a five-member board with specified roles and terms, and outlines travel expense reimbursement for members.

Who It Affects

• Members of the voluntary indigent defense advisory boards in each judicial circuit: they would serve one-year terms, must meet annually, receive civil immunity for actions taken in their duties, and have travel expenses paid by the Office.
• Office of Indigent Defense Services: it would have authority to adopt rules governing the advisory boards and would pay travel expenses for board members.

Key Provisions

• Annual meeting requirement: advisory boards must meet at least once per year (replacing the prior quarterly requirement).
• Civil immunity: board members obtain civil immunity for actions taken in their official advisory capacity (as provided to state agents under Section 36-1-12).
• Rules authority: the Office of Indigent Defense Services is empowered to adopt rules governing the activities of the advisory boards.
• Board composition and terms: each board has five members (including the presiding circuit judge as chair, the president of the local circuit bar association, and three other attorneys) with one-year terms and diversity requirements; vacancies filled by the presiding judge.
• Compensation and expenses: board members serve without compensation; their necessary travel expenses are paid by the Office of Indigent Defense Services.
• Quorum: three members constitute a quorum for conducting business.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses