Bill > A10783

This bill establishes a program to provide legal representation to veterans who are at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines for specific civil matters, including real property proceedings (such as eviction or foreclosure), cases involving sustenance (like unemployment or public benefits), and matters concerning children (such as those in Family Court). The program will be a partnership between the courts and qualified legal service providers, bar associations, and private organizations, with legal services providers acting as the lead agency to assess eligibility, manage referrals, and either provide representation or connect veterans with contracted attorneys. The Judicial Council, composed of administrative judges from each judicial district, will select these lead agencies based on their capacity, innovation, efficiency, and ability to address community needs and court access. Compensation for attorneys will be set at minimum hourly rates for different types of cases, with provisions for reimbursement of expenses and no cap on total compensation, subject to court approval. The bill also amends existing laws to integrate this new right to counsel for veterans into the broader legal aid framework.