Bill

HB 1209

86(R) - 2019
House Business & Industry
House Business & Industry

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive

Author(s)

Eddie Rodriguez

Bill Caption

Relating to the right to vacate and avoid residential lease liability following the occurrence of family violence.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


Bill Analysis

Current law allows a tenant to break a lease without penalty under certain circumstances. HB 1209 would add to the circumstances under which a tenant may break a lease without penalty by including victims of family violence. A tenant would have to show proof of family violence by presenting a landlord a letter provided by a family violence center advocate, a licensed health care provider who examined the victim, or a mental health provider who examined the victim.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill supports individual liberty by allowing a person who is a victim of family violence to get safely away from the situation without continuing to be bound to the terms of a lease.