MN SF4465

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 504B.268, subdivision 1, to clarify right to counsel in eviction cases for defendants in public housing subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Grants defendants in HUD-subsidized public housing who are financially unable to obtain counsel the right to court-appointed counsel in eviction actions alleging breach of lease.

Requires eviction complaints to include a notice on the first page in bold 12-point type stating: "If financially unable to obtain counsel, the defendant has the right to a court-appointed attorney."

Mandates that at the initial hearing, the court must ask the defendant whether they want court-appointed counsel and explain what such appointed counsel can accomplish.