MA H1537

Bill

Establishing a right to counsel in certain eviction cases

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

By Messrs. Rogers of Cambridge and Day of Stoneham, a petition of David M. Rogers, Michael S. Day and others establishing a right to counsel in certain eviction cases. The Judiciary.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a right to counsel in certain eviction cases in Massachusetts. It creates a civil justice committee within the executive office of housing and economic development to identify and designate organizations to provide free or low-cost legal services to eligible individuals, defined as indigent tenants, occupants, or landlords in covered eviction proceedings. The committee will set procedures for monitoring the services provided, establish geographic areas of representation, and determine the rate of compensation for legal counsel, which is capped at $50 per hour up to an annual limit of 1,650 billable hours. The bill aims to ensure that indigent individuals facing eviction have access to legal representation.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (44)

Brian Ashe (D), Ruth Balser (D), Christine Barber (D), Natalie Blais (D), Tony Cabral (D), Harriette Chandler (D), Mike Connolly (D), Brendan Crighton (D), Mike Day (D), Marjorie Decker (D), Marcos Devers (D), Diana Dizoglio (D), Mindy Domb (D), Michelle DuBois (D), Jamie Eldridge (D), Nika Elugardo (D), Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D), Cindy Friedman (D), Sean Garballey (D), Denise Garlick (D), Carlos González (D), Natalie Higgins (D), Russell Holmes (D), Kevin Honan (D), Dan Hunt (D), Pat Jehlen (D), Mary Keefe (D), James Kelcourse (R), Kay Khan (D), David LeBoeuf (D), Jack Lewis (D), Paul Mark (D), Joe McGonagle (D), Joan Meschino (D), Harold Naughton (D), Tram Nguyen (D), Denise Provost (D), Dave Rogers (D), Danny Ryan (D), Lindsay Sabadosa (D), Andy Vargas (D), Aaron Vega (D), Tommy Vitolo (D), Bud Williams (D),

Last Action

Senate concurred (on 05/18/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1537

(9 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1537
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1537.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1358	To ensure equal counsel in eviction proceedings	Accompanied a study order, see H5148	Similar To
H2330	Relative to the collective bargaining rights for employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means	Similar To
H2720	Relative to CPCS reimbursement	Accompanied a study order, see H5103	Similar To
H3350	Relative to indigent defense counsel	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H3416	Relative to counsel for sex offenders	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
S1555	Relative to the collective bargaining rights for employees of the committee for public counsel services	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S850	To protect the privacy of children in eviction proceedings	Accompanied a new draft, see H4934	Similar To
S913	To ensure right to counsel in eviction proceedings	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S950	Lifting the billable hours cap for bar advocates	Accompanied a study order, see S2496	Similar To

Bill > H1537

MA H1537

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (44)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

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bill summary