Office of the Public Defender - Eligibility for Services - Requests for Employment Status and Income Information

House Bill 121 (Chapter 393, Acts of 2010)

This Act adds new Section 16-210(b)(3) to the Criminal Procedure Article. This Act authorizes the Office of the Public Defender to submit requests to the Comptroller and the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation for information regarding the income and employment status of applicants for services of the Office relating to eligibility for services.

Each request must be accompanied by an authorization for release of information in a format acceptable to the agency to which the request is submitted and signed by the applicant. Requests and responses may be exchanged via facsimile transmission.

This Act will take effect October 1, 2010.