SB 289 - This act allows a tenant to terminate a lease agreement if the tenant or his or her dependent is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The tenant must present the landlord with a written notice and either a copy of an order of protection or a report signed by a law enforcement officer, circuit judge, associate circuit judge, medical professional, or an employee of a rape crisis center. After providing the required documents to the landlord within ninety days of the incident, the tenant will be absolved of all responsibilities under the lease and will not incur any penalties or fees for early termination. The tenant is also discharged from the payment of rent for any period following the last day of the month in which the tenant vacates the premises.
A tenant or a tenant's dependent who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking by a landlord or the landlord's employee or agent may change or add locks to the premises, at the tenant's expense, provided that the tenant provides notice to the landlord and a copy of an order of protection or a report signed by a law enforcement officer, circuit judge, associate circuit judge, medical professional, or an employee of a rape crisis center. After providing such notice, the lease will automatically terminate in ninety days unless the tenant gives notice to the landlord of an intent not to vacate the premises or terminates the lease early in accordance with the act. Upon vacating the premises, the tenant shall deliver the keys and all copies of the keys to the landlord.
Finally, this act prohibits a tenant screening service from disclosing the status of a tenant, prospective tenant, or dependent of such tenant or prospective tenant as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or knowingly disclosing that a tenant, prospective tenant, or dependent of such tenant or prospective tenant has terminated a lease or changed the locks under the provisions of this act. A landlord shall not terminate a lease, fail to renew a lease, or refuse to enter into a lease because a tenant, prospective tenant, or dependent of such tenant or prospective tenant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or has terminated a lease or changed the locks under the provisions of this act. A landlord who violates this provision may be subject to a civil action for damages.
JESSI BAKER