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2023 SESSION

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HB 1996 Summons for Unlawful Detainer form; plain English instructions for interpretation of form.

Introduced by: Charniele L. Herring | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Summons for Unlawful Detainer form; plain English instructions. Requires the Forms and Efiling Subcommittee of the Supreme Court of Virginia's Access to Justice Commission to develop plain English instructions, as defined in the bill, that explain to defendants how to interpret Form DC-421 (Summons for Unlawful Detainer/Civil Claim for Eviction). The bill further requires that such instructions (i) be printed in no less than 14 point type; (ii) be understandable to persons whose literacy level matches the Virginia literacy level for fourth grade; (iii) explain that failure to appear in court on the hearing date may result in eviction from the defendant's household; and (iv) provide the statewide Legal Aid and Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot program websites and, if applicable, telephone numbers, directing defendants to contact those programs for more information and assistance.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Summons for Unlawful Detainer form; report. Requires the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to review Form DC 421, Summons for Unlawful Detainer (Civil Claim for Eviction) and (i) evaluate ways to simplify such form for pro se parties and (ii) develop recommendations to (a) clarify the steps pro se defendants shall take in order to ensure a timely response to the filing of such form and proper actions such party shall take to respond to such a filing and (b) ensure that the form is made available in a manner that is accessible to individuals with limited English proficiency through the provision of language access services, including oral interpretation and written translations. The bill requires the Office of the Executive Secretary to submit a report of its evaluations and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary by November 1, 2023.