This bill amends the landlord and tenant statute to introduce additional grounds for eviction. Specifically, it allows landlords to evict tenants who use someone else's personal identification to secure or maintain a tenancy, as well as those who or their occupants have certain criminal convictions. These convictions include improper entry as a non-citizen, serious crimes with maximum penalties exceeding one year, and offenses requiring registration as a sexual offender or an offender against children, provided these convictions occurred within specified timeframes. However, a landlord cannot use a conviction disclosed in writing by the tenant before the tenancy begins as grounds for eviction.

The bill also stipulates that eviction actions can name only the individuals alleged to have violated the new provisions, without including other household members. This change aims to streamline the eviction process. The bill is expected to increase the number of eviction cases filed, which may necessitate additional judicial resources and could lead to increased expenditures for the Judicial Branch, estimated to be between $500,000 and $1,000,000 annually. Additionally, it anticipates a rise in filing fee revenue due to the increased number of cases. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 540:2
As Amended by the House: 540:2
HB1499 text: 540:2