Eviction Legal Defense Fund

Forcible entry and detainer - legal aid services - eviction legal defense fund - appropriation. The act creates the eviction legal defense fund (fund). The state court administrator awards grants from the fund to qualifying nonprofit organizations (organizations) that provide legal advice, counseling, and representation for, and on behalf of, indigent clients who are experiencing an eviction or are at immediate risk of an eviction. The act lists permissible uses of grant money awarded from the fund.

Organizations that receive a grant from the fund are required to report to the state court administrator certain information about persons served and services provided by the organization. The state court administrator is required to evaluate the use of grants from the fund every 5 years and submit that evaluation to the general assembly.

For the 2019-20 state fiscal year, $750,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the eviction legal defense fund created through the act.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)