Public defense reforms win unanimous backing from Idaho Senate

Far-reaching reforms for Idaho’s beleaguered system of providing public defenders for poor defendants – a system that a state-commissioned study found fell short of constitutional requirements – were approved unanimously in the Idaho Senate this afternoon. The Senate voted 34-0 in favor of HB 504 , which earlier passed the House on a 68-2 vote with just Reps. Kathy Sims and Vito Barbieri objecting; it now goes to the governor’s desk. The bill calls for the state Public Defense Commission to set standards for public defense, and to provide funding to Idaho counties to help them meet the new standards.

A “trailer” bill providing the funding - $5.5 million a year – already has been approved by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and will follow the policy bill.