Background
The Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 129) established the Public Defense Pilot Program. Public Defense Pilot Program funds must be utilized for indigent defense providers, including public defenders, alternate defenders, and other qualifying entities that provide indigent defense in criminal matters for the purposes of workload associated with the provisions in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 1170 of, and Sections 1170.95, 1473.7, and 3051 of, the Penal Code.
Request for Applications (RFA)
This RFA provides the necessary information to submit an application to the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Public Defense Pilot Program.
The Application Instructions Packet provides the information necessary to prepare an application to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for grant funds available through the Public Defense Pilot Program. Any questions concerning this program must be submitted by email to: publicdefensegrant@bscc.ca.govcreate new email.
Summary of Key Dates
The following table shows a timeline of key dates related to the RFA.
| Activity | Date |
| Release Request for Applications | October 4, 2021 |
| Applications Due to the BSCC | January 14, 2022 |
| New Grants Begin | March 1, 2022 |
| Mandatory New Grantee Orientation | March 10-11, 2022 |
| Mandatory New Grantee Data & Evaluation Orientation | April - TBD |