RI S2972

Creates a civil right to full legal representation for eligible tenants facing eviction actions, administrative housing subsidy hearings, or unsafe housing conditions requiring court intervention

Establishes a Division of Civil Representation within the Rhode Island Department of Housing, headed by a governor-appointed director subject to Senate confirmation

Requires designated nonprofit legal organizations with 501(c)(3) status to provide free or reduced-cost legal services including court appearances, filing pleadings, and settlement conferences

Mandates community outreach and education through designated nonprofit organizations to inform tenants of their rights, including workshops, written materials, and assistance forming tenant associations in diverse languages

Requires all residential leases to include notice of tenants' right to legal representation, with any lease provisions waiving this right being void and unenforceable