Subcommittee clears bill confirming localities may fund public defender positions

A House subcommittee unanimously reported HB223, a Virginia Indigent Defense Commission bill that clarifies localities may fully fund public defender positions in addition to supplementing salaries.

Delegate presenting the bill said the measure simply confirms an existing option and is permissive, not a mandate. Marie Jankowski, executive director of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, called it "one of our priorities" and said the language allows localities to fund full positions if they choose.

Cammy Blatt of the Commonwealth Institute and representatives from advocacy organizations voiced support. The subcommittee moved and reported HB2023 (recorded as HB223 in discussion) by a unanimous roll-call vote of 10-0.

The bill was reported to the next stage without referral to appropriations, per the committee’s notation.