Major developments

Two 2024 bills would prohibit the court form assessing costs for minor's representation against minor or their parents.

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

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

The Indiana legislature has introduced several bills that would reform the law around the right to counsel for children in abuse matters.

A bill introduced in 2024 would create a task force to study the impact of lack of counsel on domestic violence matters.

The bill would provide criminal defendants who are represented by appointed counsel with the right to counsel in any related forfeiture case.

In May 2022, Detroit became the latest city to enact a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

Kansas City has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel for all tenants facing eviction regardless of income.

The City of Los Angeles is moving towards enacting a law providing a right to counsel in housing court.

There is a right to client-directed counsel in guardianship establishment, modification, and termination proceedings, regardless of ability to pay.

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

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

A project provides all tenants counsel in certain Houston housing courts.

The 2022 World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index ranked the U.S. 116th in the world on access to civil justice.

The latest Human Rights Report Card from the National Homelessness Law Center gives the United States a "C-" on security of housing tenure.

The City of St. Pete is considering providing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

There is a RTC for either party in a DV proceeding under Article 8, including for appeal, and for certain minor respondents in juvenile court.

Previously, there was a qualified right to counsel in sterilization proceedings. But the legislature repealed the provisions in 2023.

The appellate court overturned a contempt order where the respondent was unrepresented and the trial court failed to analyze his ability to pay.

St. Louis has enacted a right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction.

Connecticut statutes and court rule guarantee counsel for indigent parents in abuse/neglect proceedings, and allows appointment for the appeal.

A Connecticut statute guarantees counsel for indigent parents in termination proceedings who appear without counsel.

The court must appoint counsel for a minor in an abuse/neglect case, and can appoint counsel for the appeal.

Minors have a right to counsel in termination of parental rights proceedings.

The court must appoint an attorney ad litem for the subject of a guardianship proceeding.

Delaware's new law entitles tenants to counsel in certain housing matters, but subject to qualifications that fall short of a full right.

Following a push from the North New Jersey DSA, Jersey City has adopted a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

The court must appoint counsel to represent an Indian child in an abuse/neglect matter where custody is at issue.

In TPR matters brought based on commission of a sex offense resulting in conception of the child, the court may appoint counsel.

A court must appoint counsel for a child in an abuse/neglect proceeding.