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Committee clears bill letting domestic‑violence victims terminate leases without early‑termination fees
Summary
H.3569, as amended, allows a tenant who is a victim of qualifying domestic violence to terminate a lease within 60 days without standard early‑termination penalties, requires written notice and surrender of possession, and provides protections for landlords acting in good faith.
The Judiciary Committee advanced H.3569, a bill that adds protections for residential tenants who are victims of qualifying domestic violence incidents by allowing a “protected tenant” to terminate a rental agreement within 60 days of the incident without being liable for early‑termination penalties.
Representative Bernstein, presenting the committee’s subcommittee version, said a protected tenant must provide written notice to the landlord within 60 days of the qualifying incident and surrender possession of the rental property. The tenant remains responsible for rent and amounts owed during the 60‑day period but is not subject to early‑termination fees. If a perpetrator remains the sole tenant after the protected tenant leaves, the landlord may terminate the lease and pursue damages from the perpetrator.
The subcommittee had amended the bill to make the period landlords are prohibited from forcing a protected tenant to vacate uniform at 60 days. Representative Martin offered an amendment creating a landlord safe‑harbor: a landlord who acts in good faith based on the documentary proofs listed in the statute (restraining order, order of protection, or conviction of the perpetrator) would be shielded from civil liability related to relying on that documentation when terminating or modifying a lease. Bernstein said stakeholders in subcommittee — including landlords and advocates — did not object to the Martin amendment.
The committee approved H.3569 as amended by roll call: 21 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstaining and 2 not voting. The measure will proceed to the next stage of consideration.
