§ 78B-22-1102 — Establishment of Youth Defense Fund -- Use of fund -- Compensation from fund.

(1) There is established a custodial fund known as the Youth Defense Fund.
(2) The fund consists of:
(2)(a) money received from participating counties as described in Section 78B-22-1104;
(2)(b) appropriations made to the fund by the Legislature as described in Subsection 78B-22-1104(8); and
(2)(c) interest and earnings from the investment of fund money.
(3) The state treasurer shall invest fund money with the earnings and interest accruing to the fund.
(4) The fund shall be used to fulfill the constitutional and statutory mandates for the provision of constitutionally effective defense for juveniles referred to the juvenile court.
(5) Money allocated to or deposited into the fund is used only:
(5)(a) to pay an indigent defense service provider appointed to represent a minor referred to the juvenile court;
(5)(b) for defense resources necessary to effectively represent the minor; and
(5)(c) for costs associated with the management of the fund and indigent defense service providers.

Legislative History

Enacted by Chapter 328, 2025 General Session