BILL NUMBER: S7124A
SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property law, in relation to the termination of
residential lease by victims of domestic violence
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would allow a victim of domestic violence to provide written
attestation related to their eligibility as a victim of domestic
violence or a family offense in relation to the termination of a resi-
dential lease.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subparagraph (iv) of § 227-c of the real
property law is amended to allow written attestation related to eligi-
bility as a victim of domestic violence or a family offense.
Section 2. Effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION:
The original bill expanded the amount of qualified third parties to
provide written verification to whom the tenant, or a member of the
tenant's household reported the domestic violence.
The amended bill removes the expanded list of qualified third parties
and allows a tenant to provide written attestation related to their
eligibility as a victim of domestic violence or a family offense, does
not require the tenant to disclose confidential information relating to
their status as a victim of domestic violence as a condition to termi-
nate the lease, prohibits the termination of the lease contingent on a
result of arrears accrued in the account, and requires all information
provided by the tenant to be disposed no later than thirty days after
receiving such information to maintain confidentiality.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Existing law permits the termination of a residential lease by a victim
of domestic violence or a family offense which ensures their safety by
removing them from the residence. Allowing victims of domestic violence
or a family offense to provide written attestation to terminate their
residential lease to the court will reduce barriers for victims and
supports their needs.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S7124: 227-c real property law, 227-c(2) real property law
S7124A: 227-c real property law, 227-c(2) real property law