47-1-215. Regional offices -- deputy public defenders -- office space. (1) The public defender division administrator shall hire, assign, and supervise a deputy public defender to manage and supervise each regional office established pursuant to 47-1-104(2).

(2) Subject to approval by the public defender division administrator, each deputy public defender shall:

(a) manage and supervise all public defender services provided within the deputy public defender's assigned region;

(b) establish protocols so that when a court orders the assignment of counsel, the assignment is made promptly to an appropriate public defender and so that a public defender is immediately available when necessary;

(c) ensure that public defender assignments within the region comply with the provisions of 47-1-202(1)(c);

(d) hire and supervise the work of regional office personnel as authorized by the public defender division administrator;

(e) coordinate with the contract manager provided for in 47-1-121 to contract for services as authorized by the public defender division administrator according to the strategic plan approved by the director;

(f) keep a record of public defender and associated services and expenses in the region and submit the records to the public defender division administrator as requested;

(g) implement the standards and procedures established by the director and the public defender division administrator for the region;

(h) maintain a minimum client caseload as determined by the public defender division administrator; and

(i) perform all other duties as assigned by the public defender division administrator.

(3) Expenses for office space required for regional offices, including rent, utilities, and maintenance, must be paid by the office of state public defender and may not be considered a county or city obligation.