AN ACT PERMITTING THE USE OF NONATTORNEY REPRESENTATION OF A TENANT IN A HOUSING MEDIATION MATTER.

SB 1211 amends Connecticut General Statute § 47a-69 to allow tenants in housing mediation to be represented by non-lawyer advocates if they do not have an attorney. This directly affects tenants facing housing disputes who cannot afford legal counsel, enabling them to use trained community advocates or housing counselors during mediation. The key provision removes a prior restriction preventing non-attorney representation in these specific housing mediation proceedings. The bill does not change mediation rules for landlords or alter legal standards for housing cases. This change aims to increase access to affordable dispute resolution for renters.