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Bill > H1560

MA H1560

MA H1560
Establishing a right to counsel in certain eviction cases

summary

Introduced
01/20/2015
In Committee
01/20/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
07/31/2016

Introduced Session

189th General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to establishing a right to counsel in certain eviction cases. The Judiciary.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a right to legal counsel for individuals facing certain eviction cases, referred to as "covered proceedings," which include situations like lease terminations, foreclosures, or tax title foreclosures. It creates a "civil justice committee" responsible for designating organizations that provide legal services to "eligible individuals," defined as low-income tenants, condominium owners, or owners of small multi-family homes who are defendants or respondents in these proceedings. The committee will set standards for these designated organizations, ensuring they have expertise in housing law and experience representing low-income clients. When an eligible individual requests representation or a judge refers them, the committee will assign a designated organization, which will then assign a lawyer. These lawyers will be paid $50 per hour, with an annual cap on billable hours to manage costs and prevent overwork. The bill also specifies timelines for appointing committee members and for the legal counsel provisions to take effect.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (45)

Dave Rogers (D)*,  Jim Arciero (D),  Brian Ashe (D),  Bruce Ayers (D),  Ruth Balser (D),  Christine Barber (D),  Jennifer Benson (D),  Tony Cabral (D),  Thomas Calter (D),  Nick Collins (D),  Brendan Crighton (D),  Claire Cronin (D),  Josh Cutler (D),  Michael Day (D),  Marjorie Decker (D),  Dan Donahue (D),  Lori Ehrlich (D),  Sean Garballey (D),  Denise Garlick (D),  Carlos González (D),  Ken Gordon (D),  Pat Haddad (D),  Paul Heroux (D),  Pat Jehlen (D),  Jay Kaufman (D),  Mary Keefe (D),  Kay Khan (D),  John Lawn (D),  Jason Lewis (D),  Jay Livingstone (D),  John Mahoney (D),  Brian Mannal (D),  Paul Mark (D),  Frank Moran (D),  Jim O'Day (D),  Alice Peisch (D),  Denise Provost (D),  Byron Rushing (D),  Danny Ryan (D),  Tom Sannicandro (D),  John Scibak (D),  Frank Smizik (D),  Benjamin Swan (D),  Timothy Toomey (D),  Aaron Vega (D), 

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4706 (on 10/24/2016)
(6 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/H1560
Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/H1560.pdf
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