Civil RTC News
This page lists all of the most recent developments on civil right to counsel across the country. These could be newly created rights to counsel, significant publications, public events, advocacy efforts, or other things that don’t fit into a neat category.
Bills aimed to protect incarcerated birth parents and their children
Three bills sought to provide due process protections to incarcerated birth parents and their children in the event of a child removal.
Illinois considers tenant right to counsel bills
The legislature introduced three bills related to the tenant right to counsel, including one bill that would have provided broader protections.
Minnesota enacts law to protect Black families
Minnesota has finally enacted the "Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act."
LA removes RTC loophole for children
The court must appoint counsel for all children in termination of parental rights cases.
Minnesota strengthens right to counsel for Indian custodians and parents of Indian children
An indigent parent or parents or Indian custodians have the right to counsel in any state child placement matter.
Minnesota passes bill strengthening right to counsel for Indian children
Indian children in any state child placement proceeding have the right to counsel if they are 10 years of age or older.
No such proceeding
Services may be provided consensually. The department may remove a guardian or terminate guardianship through an action in probate.
Mississippi finally guarantees counsel for parents in termination cases
The state passed SB 2792, providing right to counsel to all indigent parents in termination of parental rights cases.
Mississippi finally guarantees RTC for parents in abuse/neglect cases
The state passed SB 2792, providing right to counsel to indigent custodial parents in abuse cases and to all indigent parents in TPR matters.
Federal rule change opens up funding for civil legal rep
A change to Title IV-E opens up matching federal funding for civil legal representation connected to foster care proceedings.
Three eviction RTC bills introduced
The SC legislature considered three bills in 2023 that would have provided certain tenants with a right to counsel in eviction matters.
All About D.C.’s RTC pilots
The D.C. Council appropriated $4.5 million for housing eviction defense with an eye towards a right to counsel in housing cases.
