S-1585.1
SENATE BILL 5907
State of Washington | 66th Legislature | 2019 Regular Session |
BySenators Kuderer, Das, and Nguyen
Read first time 02/13/19.Referred to Committee on Housing Stability & Affordability.
AN ACT Relating to a comparative study of the impact of attorney representation for tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings; creating a new section; making appropriations; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) From July 1, 2019, until December 31, 2020, the office of civil legal aid must conduct a comparative study of the impact of attorney representation for tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings. The office of civil legal aid must contract with a Washington state-based research institution to compare outcomes in residential landlord-tenant unlawful detainer cases as described in subsection (2) of this section in counties with a total population between four hundred thousand and one million.
(2) In each study county, the study must track and compare outcomes in seven hundred fifty unlawful detainer cases in which attorneys are randomly appointed to represent the defendant(s) and seven hundred fifty cases in which no attorney appears on behalf of the defendant(s). Study data must be disaggregated by gender, race, age, and other relevant demographic characteristics, as well as the grounds claimed for eviction, the amount of rent claimed unpaid in cases where nonpayment of rent is the basis for the unlawful detainer action, and the amount of costs and fees claimed due. The office of civil legal aid must contract with qualified nonprofit legal aid providers for legal representation in cases where attorneys are appointed to represent defendants in unlawful detainer cases involved in the study. The superior courts in each of the counties are respectfully requested to work with the office of civil legal aid and the research institution engaged in the study to facilitate the random appointment of contracted attorneys in unlawful detainer cases.
(3) A final report on the study must be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 31, 2021.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The sum of nine hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and the sum of three hundred fifty thousand, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, from the general fund to the office of civil legal aid for the purposes of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2019.
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