Amendment_Report_for

Senate Amendments to House Bill No. 298

TO THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE:

THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT THE SENATE HAS ADOPTED THE AMENDMENTS SET OUT BELOW:

AMENDMENT NO. 1

Amend by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a Study Committee on Indigent Juvenile Appeals. The study committee shall study whether the Mississippi Office of Indigent Appeals should handle appeals of minors from the Youth Court System to the Appellate Courts as well as the need for attorneys who represent juveniles named in delinquency petitions to receive advice, education and support from the Mississippi Office of Indigent Appeals. The study committee may also develop performance guidelines for juvenile defense attorneys. The committee shall report to the Legislature no later than November 15, 2006.

(2) The study committee shall consist of the following members:

(a) One (1) Justice of the Supreme Court appointed by the Chief Justice, who shall chair the committee;

(b) One (1) youth court judge appointed by the Mississippi Council of Youth Court Judges;

(c) One (1) public defender with significant youth court experience appointed by the Mississippi Public Defenders Association;

(d) One (1) youth court prosecutor appointed by the Mississippi Prosecutors Association; and

(e) The Director of the Mississippi Office of Indigent Appeals.

(3) (a) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act.

(4) Any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof, at the request of the chairman of the study committee, shall provide assistance as will enable the study committee to properly carry out its duties.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after May 1, 2006.