Terminating a tenancy for fear of imminent violence

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill allows a residential tenant to terminate his or her tenancy if the tenant or the tenant's child fears imminent violence and faces an imminent threat of serious physical harm from another person if the tenant remains on the premises. To terminate tenancy under the bill, a tenant must provide the landlord with written notice and a written statement by a social worker, victim advocate, or child victim advocate who has a reasonable basis to believe that the tenant is a victim of sexual assault, stalking, or an act of domestic abuse. The bill requires the written statement to be made on a form created by the Department of Children and Families. The bill also prohibits a landlord from disclosing certain information in the notice or written statement provided by a tenant. If the tenant leaves the premises because of fear of imminent violence under the bill, the tenant is not liable for any rent after the end of the month that the tenant leaves the premises or provides notice to the landlord, whichever is later.

Under current law, a residential tenant may terminate his or her tenancy if the tenant or child of the tenant faces an imminent threat of serious physical harm from another person if the tenant remains on the premises and if the tenant provides the landlord with written notice and a certified copy of certain injunction orders, criminal complaints, or bail conditions related to the person.

Who's behind it

9 representatives are its authors⁠. 6 are Republicans and 3 are Democrats.

3 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.