SUCCESSION PLAN FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICES

(a) In this section, "governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by Article 26.044, Code of Criminal Procedure. (b) As a condition of a grant awarded by the commission to a regional public defender's office that primarily handles capital cases, the commission may establish for the public defender's office a succession plan to take effect only if the commissioners court of the county in which the central administrative office of the public defender's office is located ceases for any reason to be a party to the agreement creating or designating the public defender's office. (c) A succession plan established under Subsection (b) may: (1) authorize the commission to designate a governmental entity to administer the regional public defender's office; (2) require the governmental entity designated under Subdivision (1) to establish an oversight board for the regional public defender's office under Article 26.045, Code of Criminal Procedure; and (3) require the regional public defender's office to comply with any rules adopted by the commission for the administration of the public defender's office.