The bill HB 261 amends RSA 540:2, VII to provide greater protections for tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, allowing them to terminate their lease early without penalty under certain conditions. Tenants must provide written verification of their victim status to the landlord, which can include a protective order, a law enforcement report, or a signed self-certification form. The bill requires landlords to keep this verification confidential, with disclosure permitted only in specific situations such as with the tenant's consent or as required by law. Additionally, the bill allows tenants with protective orders to request lock changes at their own expense, and landlords must comply without providing keys to the restrained individuals.

The bill also introduces a new section, RSA 540:11-b, which allows tenants to terminate their lease if they or a household member have been victims of the aforementioned offenses within the last 150 days or if they fear for their safety due to a recent event related to past abuse. Furthermore, the bill adds a new subparagraph (h) to RSA 540:2, II, enabling the termination of tenancy if a remaining co-tenant or occupant is the accused perpetrator of such offenses. It adjusts the eviction notice period to 30 days for all residential tenancies, with a 7-day notice sufficient for specific reasons, including the new provision (h). The bill includes the insertion of ", or (h)" and the deletion of the word "or" to reflect these changes. The act is approved on May 14, 2024, and will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the Senate: 540:2, 540:3
Version adopted by both bodies: 540:2, 540:3
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 540:2, 540:3