This bill establishes an affirmative defense of Social Security hardship for tenants facing eviction due to non-payment of rent. It defines Social Security hardship as a loss of income resulting from the interruption of Social Security benefits caused by federal government actions or inactions, excluding cases of ineligibility. Tenants asserting this defense must provide evidence that their Social Security benefits have been terminated, delayed, or reduced, and that this has adversely affected their ability to pay rent. If the tenant meets these criteria, the court is required to stay the eviction proceedings for either 14 days after the benefits are restored or for a maximum of six months.

Additionally, the bill mandates that tenants must either pay all past due rent or enter into a payment plan with their landlord within 14 days of their benefits being restored. If the tenant complies with these provisions, the court is instructed to dismiss the eviction notice. However, the bill clarifies that it does not prevent a court from determining that a tenant failed to pay rent prior to experiencing Social Security hardship.