Iowa pilot will allow early appointment of counsel for parents

Iowa SB 2182, signed by the Governor in June, creates a pilot project where “The state public defender may appoint an attorney to represent an indigent person prior to initiation of formal proceedings, without court order, if such representation is deemed appropriate by the state public defender and relates to the purposes of the pilot project.”  The purpose of the pilot is to “implement and study innovative ways, through a team approach or through other methods, to achieve positive outcomes for families, reduce trauma to young children, and deliver financial benefits to families and their communities."