Maryland is second state with eviction right to counsel

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.