House Bill 5982 Summary

• Allows tenants with reasonable apprehension of present danger from domestic violence, criminal sexual conduct, or stalking to change rental unit door locks after submitting written notice and documentation to the landlord.

• Tenant must provide written notice stating the danger exists, the potentially dangerous individual likely has a key, and the tenant intends to change locks; submission can be made by mail, personal delivery, or electronic service.

• Tenant documentation must include one or more of: valid protective orders, probation/parole orders with protective conditions, police reports with filed charges (within 14 days or with demonstrated verifiable threat), or a qualified third-party verification form from domestic violence advocates, health professionals, mental health professionals, or clergy.

• Tenant may change locks 48 hours after mailing notice or 24 hours after personal delivery/electronic service; tenant bears the cost of lock changes and must provide landlord with a key to new locks.

• If the dangerous individual is a co-tenant, they are released from rental obligations upon lock change; landlord is not liable for damages to the locked-out individual and cannot provide that person access to the unit without a court order; applies only to leases entered into, renewed, or renegotiated on or after the bill's effective date (90 days after enactment).