Please direct media inquiries to Sharon E. Goldsmith, Executive Director of Pro Bono Resource Center, 443-837-9379 ext. 3048
Proceeding remotely: The impact on court access and legal assistance for low-income Marylanders
This is a draft of a forthcoming article in the Maryland Bar Journal. Dave Pantzer* This article briefly explores (a) logistical challenges encountered by legal services providers during the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) technological challenges frequently experienced by low-income clients; and (c) the pros and cons, from these clients’ perspective, of remote court hearings. It includes…
Staff Profile: Daria Zane
Daria Zane came to PBRC in 2019. She works on the Courtroom Advocacy Project, PBRC’s limited-scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County. Daria is also an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law and University of Maryland Carey School of Law. Before joining…
Montgomery County to Invest $2 Million in Tenant Assistance
“Officials speculate the program will assist roughly 1,100 households countywide. But nearly 400,000 people rent their homes in Montgomery County.” – The Daily Record
Maryland attorney general forms task force for indigent and minorities in anticipation of a “tsunami” of eviction cases
Providing a right to counsel for indigent defendants in civil litigation will be a top agenda item for a task force Maryland’s attorney general has convened amid the economic havoc wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know that Marylanders lose their civil cases and therefore get evicted, have their wages garnished, do not receive life…
Baltimore County’s Eviction Prevention Initiative
“Baltimore County is launching a $1 million effort to prevent evictions caused by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak. Baltimore County’s program will take effect once Gov. Larry Hogan ends the state’s eviction moratorium enacted in response to the disease’s outbreak, according to the county.” – The Daily Record, 6/10/2020. Read the complete article…
BGE Extends Consumer Protections through July 1
BGE will be waiving late payment fees and suspending service terminations until July 1 for all residential customers and qualifying businesses. “To provide customers with payment flexibility, BGE has extended its payment arrangement plans to allow customers to spread balance payments over 12 months or longer for qualifying customers…In March of this year, BGE suspended…
Great News for Renters in Baltimore City
On Monday evening, the Baltimore City Council passed legislation that prohibits rent increases and late fees during the COVID-19 crisis and 90 days after. The Renters’ Relief Act goes into effect as of March 5, 2020.
Renter Relief Act hearing
Today at 1:00 PM, Baltimore City Council will be holding a hearing of the Baltimore City COVID-19 Renter Relief Act. PBRC signed on to support PJC attorney Matt Hill’s testimony in support of the Renter Relief Act, which would prohibit rent increases and late fees during the State of Emergency and 90 days after. Link to…
CARES Act garnishment victory!
View the new Executive Order from Gov. Hogan prohibiting garnishment of CARES Act Recovery Rebates.
Legislation to help renters introduced
City Council member Brandon Scott introduced legislation on Monday (4/27) that would prohibit late fees and rent increases during the State of Emergency and 90 days thereafter (more info here).