ND HB1217

Prohibits denial of admission, assistance, participation, or eviction from state housing programs based on applicant or tenant status as victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking if otherwise qualified.

Allows residential lease tenants who are domestic violence victims or fear imminent violence to terminate leases without penalty by providing written notice to landlord and court order documentation.

Tenant terminating lease under this provision must pay rent for full month of termination plus one additional month's rent, then is relieved of remaining lease obligations subject to landlord's duty to mitigate.

Prohibits landlords from disclosing tenant-provided domestic violence documentation, entering it into shared databases, or providing to other persons, except as evidence in eviction proceedings or claims for unpaid rent.

Prohibits landlord retaliation against tenants or applicants who exercise the right to terminate leases under this section; allows court to award $1,000 statutory damages plus actual damages, attorney's fees, costs, and disbursements for violations.