Bill > A06398

This bill creates the New York Civil Gideon Act, which establishes a comprehensive framework for providing legal representation to low-income individuals in certain civil proceedings. The bill creates a Civil Right to Counsel Commission composed of 11 members from various government and legal organizations, tasked with overseeing the implementation of civil legal representation. The legislation mandates that counties and cities develop plans to provide counsel to financially unable persons in various civil matters, including real property proceedings, health-related cases, license revocation, sustenance issues, and cases involving children. For context, "financially unable" is defined as individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill establishes an Assigned Counsel for Civil Matters Review Panel to ensure quality representation, process complaints, and set standards for assigned attorneys. To fund this initiative, the bill creates a Civil Gideon Assistance Fund, which will be supported by a $75 surcharge on attorneys' biennial fees. Compensation for assigned counsel is set at minimum rates ranging from $50 to $60 per hour, depending on the type of case, with no cap on total compensation. The overall goal is to address the significant unmet legal needs of low-income New Yorkers and improve access to justice in civil proceedings.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6398