was signed by Governor Martin O’Malley on May 4, 2010 (as chapter 223) and became effective on June 1, 2010. It affected sections 16-203 “Office Personnel” and 16-301 “Board of Trustees". House Bill 122 was identical to Senate Bill 97, and it was signed (as chapter 224) and went into effect on the same days as Senate Bill 97. The third substantive change to Chapter 15, Acts of 2008, Criminal Procedure Article, Title 16 began with House Bill 121 which was signed on May 1, 2010 (as chapter 393) and went into effect June 1, 2010. It affected section 16-210 “Eligibility for Service”. Funding The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of Maryland. In 2017, the OPD’s fiscal allowance was $104.2 million. Public Defender Pursuant Title 16-207 Duties and Powers of Public Defender, the general duties of the Public Defender are to be responsible for the operation of the all district offices; prepare schedule of fees and expenses for panel attorneys and other professional and technical services rendered to indigent individuals consult and cooperate with professional groups about the causes of criminal conduct; and maintain financial and statistical records about each case in which the Office provides legal assistance to an indigent individual. The general powers of the Public Defender are to (1) adopt regulations to carry out the purpose of Title 16; (2) make necessary arrangements to coordinate services of the Office with any federal program to provide an attorney to indigent individuals; (3) arrange for the Office to receive money or services available to assist in the duties under Title 16; and (4) accept the services of volunteer workers or consultants at no compensation for their necessary expenses or otherwise. The Public Defender is appointed by the Board of Trustees to a six-year term. Eligibility requirements have not changed from Article 27A. Other providers of representation of indigent individuals Pursuant Title 16-204, other than the public Defender, the deputy public defender, district public defenders, assistant public defenders and panel attorneys can provide representation to indigent individuals in accordance with the Office of the Public Defender. Indigent individuals The OPD renders legal services to eligible indigent individuals charged with violating State, county, and/or municipal laws involving possible incarceration. According to Title 16-210, an individual is considered indigent only after being determined so by the following: (a) Application as indigent individual.