SB 841

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.