HB 1287 Summary

• Amends Section 83.51 to establish criminal penalties for landlord violations of maintenance obligations, with first offense as a first-degree misdemeanor and subsequent offenses as third-degree felonies.

• Amends Section 83.64 to criminalize retaliatory conduct by landlords against tenants who complain to authorities, organize tenant groups, or exercise fair housing rights, with penalties of first-degree misdemeanor for first offense and third-degree felony for subsequent offenses.

• Amends Section 83.67 to prohibit landlords from terminating utilities, preventing tenant access, discriminating against servicemembers, and removing tenant property without lawful cause; establishes civil liability of 3 months' rent or actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney's fees.

• Provides criminal penalties for prohibited practices violations, with first offense as first-degree misdemeanor and subsequent offenses as third-degree felonies.

• Effective date is October 1, 2017.