6218687 Public Hearing on B21-0879, Expanding Access to Justice Act of 2016

Council of the District of Columbia

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARy

Notice of Public Hearing

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004  

 

 

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chairperson

Committee on the Judiciary

                                                  

Announces a Public Hearing on

 

 

Bill 21-0879, the “Expanding Access to Justice Act of 2016”

 

 

Wednesday, October 19, 2016, 10:00 a.m.

Room 500, John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

 Washington, D.C. 20004

 

 

On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chairperson of the Committee on the Judiciary, will hold a public hearing on Bill 21-0879, the “Expanding Access to Justice Act”. The hearing will be held in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., at 10:00 a.m.

 

The stated purpose of B21-0879 is to authorize the DC Bar Foundation (“DCBF”) to adopt policies and procedures, issue requests for proposals, and make grants to designated legal services providers as part of a new series of legal counsel projects. The providers would represent low-income tenants at or below 200% of the federal poverty level facing eviction, housing code violations, termination from a rental housing subsidy program, increases in rent controlled units, and homeless shelter proceedings.

 

The bill also requires the DCBF to collaborate with key government entities in developing an annual plan for the provision of legal services. Lastly, the bill requires annual reporting that analyzes implementation and performance metrics in order to assess the continued needs of low-income residents and recommend adjustments to the criteria, policies, and procedures for the provision of legal services.

 

The Committees invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact the Committee at [phone], or via e-mail at [e-mail], and provide their name, telephone number, organizational affiliation, and title (if any) by close of business, October 14, 2016. Representatives of organizations will be allowed a maximum of five minutes for oral testimony, and individuals will be allowed a maximum of three minutes. Witnesses should bring twenty, single-sided copies of their written testimony and, if possible, also submit a copy of their testimony electronically to [e-mail].

 

For witnesses who are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements will be made part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to the Committee or to Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 5, Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at the end of the business day on November 2, 2016.