MARYLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S COVID 19 ACCESS TO JUSTICE TASK FORCE
TASK FORCE COMMITTEES
Civil Legal Aid Funding
Susan Erlichman, Co-Chair, Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Catherine Bledsoe, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Civil Legal Aid Funding Committee is committed to obtaining sustainable funding for front-line civil legal aid providers to ensure the availability of legal services for Marylanders. The life-altering civil legal needs faced by low-income Marylanders have been significantly increased against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The dramatic spike in legal need caused by the crisis coupled with precipitous declines in revenue for civil legal services underscores the crucial need to address this funding crisis. Through this diverse committee, we aspire to raise decision-makers' awareness of the significant revenue gap, mitigate the lost revenue, and identify new sources of funding.
Past Meetings
11/4/20 - Meeting AGENDA
10/21/20 - Meeting MINUTES
9/30/2020 - Meeting AGENDA
8/26/20 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
7/29/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
7/15/2020 - Meeting, 3pm
7/8/2020 - Sub-committee Meeting, 3pm
6/24/2020 - First meeting, 3pm- 4pm Agenda Powerpoint MINUTES
Consumer Protection
Marceline White, Co-Chair, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition
Steve Sakamoto-Wengel, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The purpose of the Consumer Protection Committee is to address issues affecting Maryland residents as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and issues of economic inequality and insecurity. For example, we are concerned about an avalanche of debt collection cases being filed against consumers unable to pay bills during the pandemic once the moratorium is lifted. Additionally, we want to determine how best to make consumers aware of resources available to them and educate them on how to avoid debt-related scams and instead connect consumers with legitimate trained financial counselors to help them address their debt situation. Finally, we want to propose short-term and longer-term policy solutions that the Court and General Assembly can consider to improve outcomes for financially struggling households.
Facing Issues With Debt?
The Consumer Protection Committee of the Attorney General’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force has developed a website that provides legal information, not legal advice, for individuals who have been sued for a consumer debt of less than $5,000 in a Maryland District Court. This site also offers educational resources for all residents who are interested in finding out more about the debt collection process in Maryland. https://www.debtcollectionmaryland.org/
Past Meetings
11/18/2020 - Meeting AGENDA
11/4/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
10/21/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
10/7/2020 - Meeting AGENDA
9/30/2020 - Meeting MINUTES
9/16/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
9/2/2020 - Meeting MINUTES
8/26/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
8/19/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
8/12/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
8/6/2020 - Consumer Education Subcommittee meeting, 12 p.m. MINUTES
8/5/2020 - Meeting AGENDA
7/29/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
7/22/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
7/15/2020 - Meeting, 3:30pm - 5pm AGENDA MINUTES
7/8/2020 - Meeting, 3pm - 4pm MINUTES
7/2/2020 - Meeting, 1pm - 3pm AGENDA MINUTES
6/24/2020 - First meeting, 10am - 12pm AGENDA
Data & Legal Technology
Matthew Stubenberg, Co-Chair, A2J Lab, Harvard Law School
Wendy Shiff, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Data & Legal Technology Committee's focus is on acquiring, sharing, and analyzing data which provides information, including statistics on the issue of access to justice; researching issues related to court operations and how they impact access to justice, particularly remote operations; recommending methods for addressing access to justice issues via technology; and consulting with other committees about their data and technology needs.
Past Meetings
7/23/2020 - Data Subcommittee meeting, 1:30pm
7/21/2020 - Current Court Operations Subcommittee meeting, 2pm
7/13/2020 - Data Subcommittee meeting, 2pm
7/13/2020 - Court Technology Barriers Subcommittee meeting, 1:30pm
7/13/2020 - Current Court Operations Subcommittee meeting, 1pm
7/2/2020 - Data Subcommittee Meeting, 10am - 11am MINUTES
7/2/2020 - Court Technology Barriers Kick Off Call, 11:15am - 12:15pm AGENDA
7/2/2020 - Current Court Operations Subcommittee Kick Off Call, 1:30pm - 2:30pm AGENDA
6/25/2020 - First meeting, 1pm- 2pm
Economic & Food Security
Carnot Evans, Co-Chair, Marriott International
Paul Cucuzella, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Economic & Food Security Committee's focus is on public benefits programs, including unemployment benefits, food assistance, temporary income assistance, and other programs. The Committee identifies, examines, and evaluates potential solutions to barriers to access during the current crisis, as well as access to the legal system as may be necessary to remedy benefits denied or delayed.
Past Meetings
10/28/2020 - Medicaid Subcommittee Meeting, 1pm
10/14/2020 - Medicaid Subcommittee Meeting, 1pm
10/19/2020 - Economic & Food Security Committee Leadership Meeting, 11am
9/30/2020 - Medicaid Subcommittee Meeting, 1pm
9/28/2020 - Economic & Food Security Committee Leadership Meeting, 11am
9/21/2020 - Economic & Food Security Leadership Meeting, 11 am
9/18/2020 - Unemployment Subcommittee Meeting, 10 am
9/16/20 - Medicaid subcommittee meeting, 1 pm
9/16/2020 - Meeting of the Medicaid Subcommittee, 1:00 pm
9/15/2020 - Meeting of the SNAF/TANF Subcommittee, 3:00 pm
9/14/2020 - Meeting of Committee Leadership, 11:00 am
9/4/2020 - Meeting, 10am
9/2/2020 - Medicaid subcommittee meeting MINUTES
9/1/2020 - Temporary Food and Cash Assistance Subcommittee meeting, 3 pm.
8/27/2020 - Co-chairs and subcommittee heads meeting, 8:45 am.
8/20/2020 - Medicaid subcommittee meeting, 12 pm
8/19/2020 - Co-chairs and subcommittee heads meeting, 8:45 am. NOTES
8/11/2020 - Temporary Food and Cash Assistance Subcommittee meeting, 3:00 pm NOTES
8/10/2020 - Committee co-chairs and subcommittee heads meeting, 9 am NOTES
8/3/2020 - Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee meeting NOTES
8/3/2020 - Subcommittee heads meeting, 3:30 pm. NOTES
7/28/2020 - Temporary Food and Cash Assistance Subcommittee meeting NOTES
7/23/20 - Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee Meeting, 1:00 pm NOTES
7/27/2020 - Committee Co-Chairs and Subcommittee heads meeting, 9:00 am NOTES
7/20/2020 - Co-Chair and Subcommittee Heads, 9:00 am NOTES
7/15/2020 - Unemployment Insurance, 11:00 am NOTES
7/14/2020 - Temporary Food and Cash Assistance, 2:30 pm NOTES
7/13/2020 - Subcommittee Heads meeting, 9-9:30 am NOTES
7/8/2020 - Food and Temporary Cash Assistance subcommittee meeting, 11 am NOTES
7/02/2020 - Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee meeting, 2:30 pm
7/1/2020 - Food and Temporary Cash Assistance Subcommittee meeting, 4-5:30 pm
6/25/2020 - First Meeting, 2pm - 3pm AGENDA MINUTES
Housing Security
Zafar Shah, Co-Chair, Public Justice Center
Zak Shirley, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Housing Security Committee is focused on helping ease the transition back to normalcy for residents of our state by ensuring that they have the means to be secure in their homes. Our efforts focus on multiple fronts including providing for assistance with the legal process to those in need, ensuring access to various rent/mortgage relief programs, examining best practices for courts in dealing with the expected tidal wave of eviction proceedings in a fair and equitable manner, and ultimately preparing legislative recommendations for long-term relief.
Past Meetings
11/18/20 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 12:30 AGENDA
11/04/20 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 12:30 AGENDA
10/23/2020 - Homelessness Issues Subcommittee meeting, 1:00pm
10/22/2020 - Homeowner's Issues Subcommittee meeting, 2:30pm
10/20/2020 - Renter's Issues Subcommittee meeting, 10am
10/14/2020 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 12:30 AGENDA
9/30/2020 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 12:30
9/25/2020 - Homeless Issues Subcommittee meeting, 1pm
9/24/2020 - Homeowner's Issues Subcommittee meeting, 2:30pm AGENDA MINUTES
9/23/2020 - Renter's Issues Subcommittee meeting, 10am AGENDA MINUTES
9/16/2020 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 12:30pm AGENDA
9/9/2020 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 12:30pm AGENDA MINUTES
9/2/2020 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 12:30pm AGENDA MINUTES
8/28/2020 - Homeless Persons Issues meeting, 1:00PM
8/27/2020 - Homeowner's Issues meeting, 2:30PM
8/26/2020 - Renter's Issues meeting, 10AM MINUTES
8/19/2020 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 1:00pm AGENDA MINUTES
8/5/2020 - Housing Security Committee meeting, 1:00pm AGENDA MINUTES
7/31/2020 - Homeless Persons’ Issues Subcommittee meeting, 1:00pm
7/30/2020 - Homeowner's Issues Subcommittee meeting, 2:30pm AGENDA MINUTES
7/29/2020 - Renter’s Issues Subcommittee meeting, 10am MINUTES
7/22/2020 - Meeting, 1PM AGENDA MINUTES CHAT
7/17/2020 - Homeless Persons' Issues Subcommittee Meeting, 1-1:30PM
7/16/2020 - Homeowner's Issues Subcommittee Meeting, 2:30-3:00PM MINUTES
7/15/2020 - Renter's Issues Subcommittee Meeting, 10-10:30AM MINUTES
7/8/2020 - Meeting, 1:00PM-2:00PM AGENDA
6/30/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES CHAT
6/24/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
Life & Health Planning
Danielle Cruttenden, Co-Chair, MSBA Estate & Trust Law Section
Juliana Bell, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Life & Health Planning Committee seeks to ensure that every person has access to, and is empowered to use, legal documents that give their loved ones and others a clear roadmap for how to make decisions about that person's care and belongings at times of great stress. We aim to provide low-or no-cost programs to supply legal advice and assistance in navigating probate court proceedings, claiming benefits, seeking financial assistance or drafting estate planning documents such as Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives or basic Wills. We also aspire to launch a public information campaign to help individuals find and use the low- and no-cost estate planning resources that already exist in our community.
Past Meetings
11/10/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA
10/20/2020 - Committee Meeting, 9am AGENDA
10/14/2020 - Resource Development Subcommittee meeting, 11am
10/6/2020 - Community Outreach Subcommittee meeting AGENDA
9/30/2020 - Resource Development Subcommittee meeting MINUTES
9/29/2020 - Committee Meeting, AGENDA MINUTES
9/20/2020 - Committee Meeting, AGENDA
9/23/2020 - Resource Development Subcommittee, 11am MINUTES
9/22/2020 - Community Outreach Subcommittee, 9am AGENDA MINUTES
9/16/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting MINUTES
9/15/2020 - Meeting AGENDA MINUTES
9/9/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am-12pm MINUTES
9/8/2020 - Community Outreach subcommittee meeting, 9am-10am AGENDA MINUTES CHAT
9/2/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am-12pm MINUTES
9/1/2020 - Committee Meeting, 9am-10am AGENDA MINUTES
8/26/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am-12pm MINUTES
8/25/2020 - Community Outreach subcommittee meeting, 9am-10am AGENDA MINUTES
8/19/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am-12pm
8/18/2020 - Meeting, 9am-10am MINUTES CHAT
8/12/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am-12pm MINUTES
8/5/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am AGENDA
8/4/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA MINUTES CHAT
7/29/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am-12pm AGENDA MINUTES
7/28/2020 - Community Outreach Subcommittee Meeting, 9am AGENDA MINUTES
7/22/2020 - Resource Development subcommittee meeting, 11am-12pm
7/17/2020 - Community Outreach Subcommittee meeting MINUTES
7/14/2020 - Meeting, 9am-10am MINUTES AGENDA CHAT
7/8/2020 - Community Outreach Subcommittee meeting, 9am to 10am. MINUTES
7/15/2020 - Resource Development Subcommittee meeting MINUTES
7/8/2020 - Resource Development Subcommittee meeting, 11am to 12pm MINUTES
6/30/2020 - Meeting, 9am - 10am AGENDA MINUTES CHAT
6/23/2020 - First meeting, 9am - 10am AGENDA MINUTES
Policy & Race Equity
Reena Shah, Co-Chair, Maryland Access to Justice Commission
Andre Davis, Co-Chair, Former Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Zenita Hurley, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Policy & Race Equity Committee brings together all committee co-chairs and Task Force vice-chairs to ensure information sharing and strategy coordination across committees to lend cohesiveness to the Task Force's work. This Committee provides guidance to other committees on employing a race equity framework in their work and review committee participation, processes and proposals to ensure adherence to race equity principles. The ultimate purpose of this Committee is to ensure that the Task Force's work increases access, fairness and equity for those navigating the civil justice system in the wake of COVID-19.
Past Meetings
10/29/2020 - Meeting, 2:30 - 4pm AGENDA
9/10/2020 - Meeting, AGENDA
8/27/2020 - Meeting, 2:30 - 4pm AGENDA
8/20/2020 - Meeting, 2:30 - 4pm
8/13/2020 - Meeting, 3:30 - 5pm AGENDA
8/6/2020 - Meeting, 3:30pm-5pm. AGENDA
7/28/2020 - Meeting, 5pm - 6pm
7/21/2020 - Meeting, 5pm - 6pm NOTES CHAT
7/17/2020 - Meeting, 4pm - 5pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/1/2020 - First Meeting, 9am - 10:30am NOTES CHAT
Pro-Bono & Reduced Fee Legal Services
Hannibal Kemerer, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
Guy Flynn, Co-Chair, DLA Piper LLP (US)
The Pro-Bono & Reduced Fee Legal Services Committee energizes a mass mobilization of Maryland's private bar to increase legal representation in case types identified by the substantive committees as needing the greatest support. The Committee also identifies opportunities to implement reduced fee programs to support Marylanders who may not qualify for no cost civil legal aid. Finally, the Committee identifies policy reforms and innovations to increase the pool of volunteers necessary to meet the need for legal advice and representation posed by this crisis.
Past Meetings
7/31/20 - Meeting, 2pm
7/23/2020 - Meeting, 3pm
7/7/2020 - Meeting, 3-4pm MINUTES
Public Awareness & Community Engagement
Franklyn Baker, Co-Chair, United Way of Central Maryland
Karen Anderson-Scott, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Public Awareness & Community Engagement Committee supports the work of the substantive committees with a focus on creating public-facing, easy to understand materials and communicating effectively to the public about their rights, about civil legal processes, and changes in civil law. This Committee is also proactive in engaging with diverse stakeholders and broad segments of our community to ensure that Marylanders who were rendered most susceptible to civil legal issues in the wake of COVID-19, receive the legal information and representation they need to successfully navigate and manage their civil legal problems.
Past Meetings
12/9/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA NOTES
11/18/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA
11/4/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
10/28/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA NOTES
10/21/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA
10/14/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA
9/30/2020 - Meeting, 9:00am AGENDA NOTES
9/23/2020 - Meeting, 9:00am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
9/16/2020 - Meeting, 9:00am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
9/9/2020 - Meeting , 9:00am NOTES CHAT
9/4/2020 - Town Halls Subcommittee meeting NOTES
9/02/2020 - Meeting , 9:00am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/21/2020 - Town Halls Subcommittee meeting AGENDA NOTES
8/19/2020 - Meeting , 9:00am NOTES CHAT
8/14/2020 - Town Halls Subcommittee meeting NOTES CHAT
8/12/2020 - Meeting , 9:00am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/5/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/31/2020 - Town Halls Subcommittee meeting, 9am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/29/2020 - Strategy Subcommittee Meeting NOTES
7/29/2020 - Meeting, 9:00 am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/22/2020 - Meeting, 9:00 am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/15/2020 - Meeting, 9 am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/7/2020 - Meeting, 9am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/2/2020 - Meeting, 1:30pm AGENDA NOTES
6/26/2020 - First Meeting, 9:30am AGENDA MINUTES
Surviving Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
Delegate Sandy Bartlett, Co-Chair, Maryland House of Delegates
Shelly Mintz, Co-Chair, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
The Surviving Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation Committee will assist Maryland's most vulnerable residents - like people of color, low income residents, disabled residents, youth, the elderly and more - who are in challenging circumstances not of their own making and are most susceptible to abuse, neglect and exploitation. This Committee's objective is to educate, create and strengthen safeguards, and provide resources and civil legal aid to enable these residents to maximize their safety and independence.
Past Meetings
12/9/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
12/2/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
11/18/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES
11/11/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES
10/28/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
10/21/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
10/14/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
10/7/2020 - Meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
9/23/2020 - Meeting, 12:30pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
9/16/2020 - Meeting, NOTES CHAT
9/09/2020 - Meeting, 11:30am NOTES CHAT
9/02/2020 - Meeting, 11:30am AGENDA
9/02/2020 - Meeting, 11:30am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/26/2020 - Meeting, 11am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/20/2020 - Reporting Subcommittee meeting, AGENDA NOTES
8/20/2020 - Data & Statistics Subcommittee meeting, AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/19/2020 - Existing Resources & Services meeting, 12 pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/18/2020 - Civil Legal Needs & Services meeting, 11:30 am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/18/2020 - Donut Holes meeting, 12 pm AGENDA NOTES
8/5/2020 - Existing Resources Subcommittee meeting, 12:30pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
8/4/2020 - Donut Holes Subcommittee meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES
8/4/2020 - Civil Legal Needs and Services Subcommittee meeting, 10am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/30/2020 - Reporting Subcommittee meeting, 2:30pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/30/2020 - Data & Statistics Subcommittee meeting, 4pm AGENDA NOTES
7/29/2020 - Existing Resources and Services Subcommittee meeting, 12pm AGENDA
7/28/2020 - Donut Holes Subcommittee meeting, 12pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/28/2020 - Civil Legal Needs and Services Subcommittee meeting, 10am AGENDA NOTES
7/24/2020 - Reporting subcommittee meeting AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/22/2020 - Existing Resources and Services meeting AGENDA NOTES
7/22/2020 - Data & Statistics Meeting AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/21/2020 - Donut Holes meeting AGENDA NOTES
7/16/2020 - Reporting Subcommittee meeting, 2:30pm AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/14/2020 - Civil & Legal Needs Subcommittee meeting, 10am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/10/2020 - Existing Resources Subcommittee meeting, 10am AGENDA NOTES
7/8/2020 - Data and Statistics Subcommittee meeting, 10:30am AGENDA NOTES
7/7/2020 - Donut Holes Subcommittee meeting, AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/6/2020 - Civil Legal Needs and Services Subcommittee meeting, AGENDA NOTES
7/2/2020 - Data and Statistics Subcommittee meeting, 11am AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/1/2020 - Existing Resources & Services Subcommittee meeting, AGENDA NOTES CHAT
7/2/2020 - Reporting Subcommittee meeting, AGENDA NOTES CHAT
6/30/2020 - Civil Legal Needs and Services Subcommittee meeting, AGENDA NOTES
6/24/2020 - First meeting, 1pm - 2pm AGENDA