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HB 6939

AN ACT AUTHORIZING STATE FUNDING FOR THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL PROGRAM.

2025 Regular Session

Authorizes state funding for a Right to Counsel program to provide free legal representation in eligible civil cases (including eviction) for low-income residents.

FILE NO. 231
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Bill Summary · HB 6939

Summary — HB 6939: "An Act Authorizing State Funding for the Right to Counsel Program"

Bill number: HB 6939
Title: An Act Authorizing State Funding for the Right to Counsel Program
Introduced: February 13, 2025
Status (as of documents provided): Favorably reported out of committee; tabled for House calendar (File No. 231, House Calendar #159)
Subject tags: Attorneys, Connecticut Bar Association, Judicial Department, Legal aid, State funds

Main purpose and intent

HB 6939 seeks statutory authorization for the state to provide funding to a “Right to Counsel” program. The bill's intent is to secure state financial support so that eligible persons can obtain legal representation in civil matters covered by that program (the bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, indicating a primary focus on housing/eviction-related right-to-counsel services).

Key provisions (based on available bill metadata)

  • Authorizes state funding to support a Right to Counsel program.
  • Assigns implementation or oversight roles to state entities that commonly participate in such programs (references to the Judicial Department, legal aid organizations and the Connecticut Bar Association in bill metadata suggest coordination among those groups).
  • Exact appropriation amounts, eligibility rules, covered case types, and administrative mechanics were not included in the provided document summary; those details would be specified in the bill text or in accompanying fiscal/OLR analyses.

Who would be affected

  • Low‑income individuals and families who face civil legal proceedings covered by the program (most likely tenants in eviction proceedings, given the bill’s referral to the Housing Committee).
  • Legal services providers and public defenders/legal aid organizations that would receive and use state funds to provide representation.
  • The Judicial Department and court system (potential caseflow and procedural impacts).
  • Landlords and other opposing parties in covered civil proceedings (may see changes in representation rates and case outcomes).
  • State budget and appropriations processes (new or increased spending obligation pending specific appropriation amounts).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Referred to the Joint Committee on Housing: February 13, 2025.
  • Public hearing held: February 18, 2025.
  • Filed with the Legislative Commissioners’ Office (LCO): March 10, 2025.
  • Referred to the Office of Legislative Research and the Office of Fiscal Analysis: March 18–24, 2025 (for bill text and fiscal impact assessment).
  • Joint favorable report issued: March 6, 2025 (listed earlier in the record).
  • Favorably reported out of LCO and tabled for House calendar: March 25, 2025 (House Calendar #159; File No. 231).

Fiscal and implementation considerations

  • The document provided does not list appropriation amounts or detailed implementation language; the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) report and bill text will be the primary sources for projected costs and funding mechanisms.
  • Implementation would likely require administrative arrangements among the Judicial Department, legal aid organizations, and potentially the Connecticut Bar Association for attorney recruitment/oversight, intake, and eligibility determination.

How to follow up / where to find more detail

  • Review the full bill text as filed with LCO (filed March 10, 2025) and the OFA fiscal note and OLR analysis (requested March 18–24, 2025) for precise funding levels, eligibility criteria, and program administration.
  • Track House action (currently on calendar) and any amendments that may add or change appropriation amounts or program scope.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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