Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent.

Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act

This bill would give Rhode Island renters who are victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking, or other forms of abuse the legal right to break their lease early without facing financial penalties. Under normal circumstances, a tenant who ends a lease before it expires can be held responsible for paying the remaining rent or other fees outlined in the lease. This bill would create an exception to that rule specifically for abuse survivors who need to leave their home quickly to protect their safety.

The bill would primarily affect renters who find themselves in dangerous living situations as a result of abuse. For example, if someone is being stalked or experiencing domestic violence at their current address, they could move out before their lease ends without owing their landlord additional rent payments or penalty fees. Landlords would be required to release these tenants from their lease obligations once the tenant provides documentation or proof of their situation, though the specific requirements for that process would be outlined in the full bill language.

This type of law is sometimes called a "safe harbor" protection for abuse survivors, and similar laws already exist in many other states. The idea is that financial obligations tied to a lease should not be a barrier that traps someone in an unsafe living situation. It is worth noting that this bill was recently postponed at the request of its sponsor and is currently under review by the House Judiciary Committee, meaning it has not yet become law.