An Act Authorizing State Funding For The Right To Counsel Program.
Summary
HB 6939 would amend Connecticut General Statutes section 47a-75 to authorize state funding for the existing right to counsel program for certain housing matters. The bill keeps the program’s core structure in place: covered individuals facing covered housing cases initiated on or after July 1, 2021 would be entitled to legal representation at no cost, and the Judicial Branch would continue to administer the program through an administering entity using available federal or state funds.
The bill also spells out how program funds may be used and who may receive them. The administering entity would fund designated organizations that provide legal representation, and those organizations could subcontract with nonprofit or community groups to deliver representation, tenant outreach, and education. The bill sets minimum qualifications for designated organizations, including expertise in housing and landlord-tenant law, experience providing free legal services, a history of serving low-income communities, a plan to serve people with limited English proficiency, and appropriate supervision and training.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would expand and formalize state support for Connecticut’s right to counsel program by expressly authorizing the use of state funds in addition to federal funds. It would affect the Judicial Branch’s administration of the program and the organizations that provide legal aid in housing cases, while reinforcing access to counsel for low-income tenants and other covered individuals in eviction and related landlord-tenant proceedings.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support for the bill in committee, with the Housing Committee reporting a Joint Favorable vote of 12-6. No transcript excerpts are available, but the vote indicates the proposal had majority backing while still drawing meaningful opposition or reservations from a minority of members.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be whether the state should commit funding to the right to counsel program and, by extension, how broadly public resources should be used for tenant legal representation. Supporters likely view the bill as an access-to-justice and housing-stability measure, while opponents or skeptics may question the fiscal impact, the scope of the entitlement, or the role of the state in financing legal services in housing disputes.