The bill amends the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" by introducing new definitions and clarifications to enhance protections for tenants who are victims of abuse, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Key insertions include definitions for terms such as "Abandonment," "Abuse," "Actual address," "Agency," and "Domestic violence," with the definition of "Abuse" expanded to encompass specific crimes that pose an imminent risk of serious harm. The bill also establishes a new section, 34-18-62, allowing tenants to terminate their lease without penalty if they or a household member have experienced abuse within the last 150 days, provided they submit written verification of the victimization.

In addition to these insertions, the bill makes several deletions and modifications to existing definitions for clarity, such as renumbering the definition of "Action" and retaining terms like "Dwelling unit" and "Good faith" with minor adjustments. The legislation prohibits lessors from denying rental agreements based on an applicant's prior termination due to abuse and mandates that lessors comply with requests for lock changes within two business days. If they fail to do so, tenants may change the locks themselves, ensuring their safety. The bill emphasizes confidentiality regarding victim information and outlines the process for vacating the premises, reinforcing the rights of tenants facing abuse and ensuring their housing stability.

Statutes affected:
6160: 34-18-11