Major developments
This page lists all of the most recent developments on civil right to counsel across the country. These could be newly created rights to counsel, significant publications, public events, advocacy efforts, or other things that don't fit into a neat category.
Our statement on Grants Pass
07/02/2024
The NCCRC speaks out against the U.S. Supreme Court's decision criminalizing homelessness.
All about right to counsel efforts in Tulsa and OKC
06/28/2024
Tulsa and Oklahoma City are exploring a potential right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about Washington State's groundbreaking eviction right to counsel
06/23/2024
In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about Denver's right to counsel
06/21/2024
Denver has enacted an ordinance to guarantee counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about HUD's Eviction Prevention Grant Program
06/14/2024
Four rounds of HUD grants are providing funding to legal services providers to represent tenants facing eviction.
LA removes RTC loophole for children where TPR is sought due to sex offense of parent
05/21/2024
The court must appoint counsel for all children in termination of parental rights cases.
Right to counsel - Indigent animal owners
05/21/2024
Indigent animal owners have the right to counsel in civil actions against the owner for compensation for animal care costs.
Minnesota enacts law to protect Black families
05/21/2024
Minnesota has finally enacted the "Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act."
Minnesota strengthens right to counsel for Indian custodians and parents of Indian children
05/20/2024
An indigent parent or parents or Indian custodians have the right to counsel in any state child placement matter.
Minnesota passes bill strengthening right to counsel for Indian children
05/20/2024
Indian children in any state child placement proceeding have the right to counsel if they are 10 years of age or older.
Mississippi finally guarantees RTC for parents in TPR cases
05/13/2024
The state passed SB 2792, providing right to counsel to all indigent parents in termination of parental rights cases.
Mississippi finally guarantees RTC for parents in abuse/neglect cases
05/13/2024
The state passed SB 2792, providing right to counsel to indigent custodial parents in abuse cases and to all indigent parents in TPR matters.
Federal rule change opens up funding for civil legal rep
05/11/2024
A change to Title IV-E opens up matching federal funding for civil legal representation connected to foster care proceedings.
All About D.C.'s RTC pilots
05/02/2024
The D.C. Council appropriated $4.5 million for housing eviction defense with an eye towards a right to counsel in housing cases.
All about the right to counsel for tenants in San Francisco
04/28/2024
A ballot initiative passed in June 2018 guarantees counsel for San Francisco tenants in eviction cases regardless of income.
All about the Chattanooga tenant rep pilot
04/23/2024
Several reports examining Chattaooga's Eviction Prevention Initiative find it has a number of benefits.
GA law permits attorney ad litem appointment to review DFCS's decision NOT to terminate parental rights
04/22/2024
If DFCS decides not to file a TPR petition, the court may appoint an attorney ad litem for the child to review that decision.
Nebraska enacts right to counsel for certain public housing tenants
04/17/2024
In 2024, Nebraska enacted a right to appointed counsel for public housing residents in certain cities for administrative hearings & evictions.
The NCCRC celebrates Fair Housing Month
04/16/2024
As the Fair Housing Act celebrates its 56th anniversary, we at the NCCRC take a moment to acknowledge its critical role in housing justice.
Appellate court finds withdrawal of mother's attorney violated fundamental fairness
04/05/2024
An appellate court reversed termination of a mother's parental rights where the trial court allowed her attorney to withdraw the day of trial.
Discretionary appointment of counsel or GAL
03/28/2024
The court may appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem for a minor in a private custody dispute arising in a divorce.
Lawsuit challenging failure to appoint lawyers for foreclosed NY homeowners settles
03/20/2024
A lawsuit by the NYCLU challenging the failure of NY courts to determine whether foreclosed homeowners should be appointed counsel has settled.
NEW RESOURCE: advancing racial/health justice through RTC
03/15/2024
A new policy brief explores how to advance both racial and health justice through a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about the right to counsel for evictions in NYC
03/07/2024
NYC is the first jurisdiction in the country to establish a right to counsel for low-income tenants in eviction cases, and is looking to expand.
Reaction to RAND op-ed in LA Times
03/01/2024
Our Coordinator responds to a piece in the LA Times by a RAND economist attacking the idea of a tenant right to counsel.
NY bill would guarantee counsel in all immigration removal cases
02/24/2024
A statewide bill in NY would provide a right to counsel for both detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings.
All about Cleveland's eviction right to counsel
02/01/2024
A bill guarantees counsel to Cleveland families with children facing eviction who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
AZ bill would have provided counsel to individuals in matters related to child abuse registry
02/01/2024
A bill would've provided a right to counsel to persons in child abuse registry matters, but the provision was removed.
MO legislature to consider several bills that would provide client-direct counsel for kids
01/25/2024
The MO legislature is considering several bills that would change a child's right to an attorney GAL to the right to client-directed counsel.
HI introduces legislation to reform fees provision
01/24/2024
Two 2024 bills would prohibit the court form assessing costs for minor's representation against minor or their parents.