JEFFERSON CITY—State Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, filed legislation this week to increase protections for landlords whose tenants refuse to pay rent or vacate a property. Senate Bill 189 would make it a misdemeanor if a tenant fails to vacate a rental property within 10 days of a court judgment in a rent possession case.

“According to current Missouri law, there’s no penalty to enforce a court judgment in a rent possession case. So, even after a court of law has sided with a landlord, a tenant who is not paying rent can continue to stay there with little or no consequences,” said Sen. Romine. “That’s not right. Landlords deserve to have their livelihoods protected the same as any other business owner.”

Under the bill, a tenant has 10 days following a court judgment in a rent possession case to vacate a rental property, file a motion to have the judgment set aside, or request a new trial. If he or she fails to do any of those things, they can be found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

“In no way does this bill take away from renter’s rights. It simply addresses situations where a judgment has already been issued, but the tenant still refuses to leave,” said Sen. Romine. “Tenants who won’t pay rent or leave a property are basically stealing from that landlord.  By creating a way to enforce this law, we can better protect landlords from these types of scenarios.”

Senator Romine also filed Senate Bill 188 in the upper chamber this week. The bill requires the local prosecuting attorney to receive a copy of the petition for the conditional release of a sexually violent predator in his or her jurisdiction.

“We already notify a number of law enforcement and other officials when a sexually violent offender is going to be released. This bill just adds prosecutors to the list of those who receive a copy of the petition,” said Sen. Romine. “And, with St. Francois County home to one of the state’s sexual offender units, it’s only right to notify our local officials in these types of proceedings.”

For more information on Sen. Romine’s sponsored legislation for the 2013 session, visit his Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/romine.