Major developments

Minneapolis has enacted an ordinance providing a right to counsel for low-income tenants facing eviciton.

In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

A 2021 change to the law guarantees appointment of counsel in conservatorship cases. California statutes require appointment of counsel in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, but there are conditions.

An increasing number of legal services programs have tapped a number of different federal funding pots to expand tenant representation.

The City of Toledo has enacted legislation to guarantee counsel to low-income tenants facing eviction.

A court must appoint counsel for a birth parent, but only for certain types of adoption and only with respect to filing or revoking consent.

A Texas Court of Appeals found error in a trial court's decision to dismiss a parent's appointed counsel on the grounds of non-indgience.

The South Dakota Supreme Court has said that attorneys for children must inform courts of a child's wishes in child welfare cases.

The City of Baltimore has enacted a bill to provide all low-income tenants facing eviction with counsel .

A 2021 bill changed the law such that appointment of counsel for parents in abusen/neglect cases is mandatory, not discretionary.

The City of Tulsa is exploring a potential right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

Milwaukee County has passed a resolution in support of right to counsel and appropriated sufficient funding to make that happen.

The 11th Circuit has held unconstitutional an Alabama law permitting courts to appoint a guardian ad litem for a fetus in abortion access cases.

The Philadelphia City Council has enacted a right to counsel for tenants.

Denver has enacted an ordinance to guarantee counsel for tenants facing eviction, and there is also a pending ballot initaitive.

The City Council has committed to providing funding such that most low-income tenants can be provided counsel.

Nevada enacted a law providing that minors who are respondents in domestic violence protection order cases are entitled to counsel.

In May 2021, Connecticut became the third state to enact a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.

A ballot initiative passed in June 2018 guarantees counsel for San Francisco tenants in eviction cases regardless of income.

Data for Progress has released new polling data showing the American public strongly supports a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

Building off of NYCs success, a new bill would guarantee counsel for low-income tenants across New York State in a variety of situations.

A bill has been filed that would provide a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.

In May, Maryland became the second state to provide a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing evictoin.

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.

A bill has been filed that would guarantee a right to counsel for Delaware tenants in eviction and related proceedings.

The Supreme Court of California ruled parents can challenge a denial of a termination of parental rights appeal that was filed late.

The Louisville City Council has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel to certain tenants facing eviction.

A 2021 bill changed the law to require children to have attorneys in child welfare proceedings, as opposed to guardians ad litem.

New Jersey will be providing counsel to all tenants facing eviction in 3 pilot sites.

An opinion piece in the Houston Chronicle by the Legal Services Corporation President calls for immediate passage of an eviction right ocounsel.