Bill > H1911

This bill enacts the universal right to counsel in eviction cases in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. It establishes a "Civil Justice Committee" within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to oversee a program that provides legal counsel to eligible individuals (tenants, occupants, and owners/lessors of rental properties) in eviction proceedings. 2. The Committee is responsible for identifying and designating organizations that meet certain criteria to provide the legal services, and for monitoring the quality of the services provided. 3. The designated organizations will be required to assign specific legal counsel to represent eligible individuals in eviction proceedings, and the Committee will pay the legal counsel $50 per hour up to an annual cap of 1,650 billable hours. 4. The bill sets timelines for the appointment of the Committee members and the effective date of the legal counsel program.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1911