NY A06398

Establishes a right to assigned counsel for low-income New Yorkers (at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines) in civil matters involving housing, eviction, foreclosure, employment disputes, public benefits, child support, health care decisions, and driver's license revocations

Creates an 11-member Civil Right to Counsel Commission appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, chief judge, and bar associations to oversee implementation and submit annual reports on program operations and budgets

Establishes a 16-member Assigned Counsel for Civil Matters Review Panel composed of representatives from legal aid organizations and bar associations to ensure quality representation, process complaints, and set attorney training standards

Sets minimum attorney compensation rates of $50-$60 per hour depending on case type (real property, health, license suspension, sustenance, and children's cases) with no caps on total compensation

Creates a Civil Gideon Assistance Fund funded by a one-time $75 surcharge on biennial attorney registration fees, with funds distributed to counties to supplement local legal aid funding