This bill aims to provide legal protections for residents who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault by allowing them to terminate their rental agreements without penalty. It stipulates that a resident can provide written notice to the owner, along with documentation such as a protective order or a letter from a service provider, to terminate the agreement and avoid future rent liabilities. The bill also outlines that if the resident is jointly liable, they are only responsible for rent owed up to the termination date, and it prohibits the owner from withholding security deposits for early termination under these circumstances.

Additionally, the bill establishes that other residents in the rental agreement may also be released from financial obligations and allowed to enter into a new rental agreement if the original agreement is terminated due to domestic violence or sexual assault. It further clarifies that a person alleged to have committed such acts may be held civilly liable for any economic losses incurred by the owner as a result of the early termination. The effective date for these provisions is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 47-8-33