Major developments

A report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center urges the state to fund a right to counsel for tenants statewide.

A 2022 law changed appointment of counsel for birth parents in adoption cases from mandatory to discretionary.

A minor who files a petition to marry is entitled to counsel.

In 2022, Colorado added the right to client-directed counsel for older children in abuse/neglect cases.

An ordinance introduced in Lakewood Ohio aims to make the city the third in Ohio to provide a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

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

The Indiana Supreme Court recently found that, under exceptional circumstances, courts may appoint counsel for individuals whose property is subject to forfeiture.

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

In Nov 2020, voters in Boulder Colorado approved a ballot initiative establishing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts declined to answer whether indigent defendants are entitled to counsel in protection order cases.

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

A report by a working group created by the Supreme Court of California Chief Justice calls for a statewide tenant right to counsel.

In January 2022, We celebrated the eviction right to counsel movement and its leaders.

The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled that indigent parents in child support contempt cases pursued by the government have a right to counsel.

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that involuntarily committed patients objecting to medication have a right to counsel.

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

A new research report finds that children with counsel in child welfare cases have improved permanency outcomes and the State saves money.

Ithaca has passed a resolution supporting the right to counsel for tenants and provided an annual appropriation.

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

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

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.

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 combined press release from the Treasury Department, HUD and AG"s Office urged states to use federal funding for right to counsel for tenants.

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.

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.

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

The Washington Post ran an editorial series on the right to counsel.

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