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<section article="grp" article_name="Real Property" number="8-904" title_number="8" title_name="Landlord and Tenant" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Access to Legal Representation in Eviction Cases">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Under the Program, MLSC shall provide for access to legal representation by a covered individual for a judicial or administrative proceeding to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Evict or terminate the tenancy or housing subsidy of a covered individual; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Repossess the premises of a covered individual under Title 8A of this article.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The access to legal representation under paragraph (1) of this subsection includes the first appeal of a decision in the proceeding if the designated organization determines that there are sufficient legal grounds for the appeal.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Under the Program, a designated organization shall ensure that a covered individual receives access to legal representation by an attorney in a proceeding as required under this subtitle as soon as possible after:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A landlord provides notice to terminate a tenancy;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The initiation of an eviction proceeding; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The determination by a designated organization that a proceeding related to a constructive eviction on behalf of a covered individual should be initiated.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If feasible, legal representation required under this subsection should begin no later than the time of the covered individual’s first appearance in a proceeding.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>MLSC may contract with a designated organization to provide all or part of the services required under this section.</text>
  </level>
</section>
