All about the eviction RTC in Maryland

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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 279which 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, WYPRDelmarva NowWBAL TV, and DCist.

 

Maryland joins Connecticut, Indiana, MinnesotaNebraskaSouth 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.