All about the eviction RTC in Maryland
09/16/2022, Legislation, Housing - Evictions
UPDATE: Outreach to tenants in full swing
An article in Maryland Reporter discusses efforts by legal services providers to let know about their right to counsel prior to the first day in court, so that attorneys have more time to prepare for effective representation.
UPDATE: Maryland right to counsel funded
Maryland's General Assembly has enacted SB 662 and HB 571 / SB 279, which provide $14 million funding for the right to counsel through 2024 as well as set up an Eviction Defense Fund. The Daily Record has more.
UPDATE: Report issued from statewide task force
The Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force, which was established by the Maryland General Assembly, has released a report regarding funding and implementation of the statewide right to counsel enacted in 2021.
UPDATE: bill has become law!
On the last day of the legslative session, HB 18 made it through the Maryland House and Senate, and on May 28 the bill became law. The Appeal has more.
Background
Following up on Baltimore's passage of an eviction rgith to counsel, a group of MD lawmakers introduced a legislative package that includes a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction (HB 18 / SB 154). The House bill has made it out of committee. Media coverage can be found in the Maryland Daily Record, WYPR, Delmarva Now, WBAL TV, and DCist.
Maryland joins Connecticut, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Washington State with such legislation in 2021.
Relatedly, the Maryand Attorney General's Access to Justice Task Force released a report recommending a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Appointment of Counsel:
categorical
Qualified:
no
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The NCCRC helped shape the bill language and is part of the statewide coalition of advocates. |