HB 351 Summary

• Allows tenants who are alleged victims of rape, attempted rape, or domestic violence to terminate rental agreements if they have a qualifying protection order or a written report from a qualified third party (law enforcement, health care professional, court employee, mental health professional, or victim advocate).

• Tenant must provide landlord written notice within 30 days of the protection order issuance or written report, with move-out date no later than 30 days after notice delivery.

• Landlord must give tenant 21-30 days to vacate, cannot pursue eviction, cannot charge early termination fees, cannot change locks, and must return security deposit per state law.

• Adds protections preventing landlord retaliation if tenant indicates intent to terminate under this section, with remedies including possession recovery, rental agreement termination, and actual damages plus attorney fees.

• Defines "nuisance" to exclude law enforcement service calls related to domestic violence, preventing properties from being deemed nuisances based solely on domestic violence incidents.