Politics
Politics

Bill to help victims escape violent homes passes Georgia Legislature

3/29/18 - Atlanta - Rules committee members vote on bills to add to the rules calendar during a late afternoon rules meeting. Thursday was the 40th and final day of the 2018 General Assembly. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

3/29/18 - Atlanta - Rules committee members vote on bills to add to the rules calendar during a late afternoon rules meeting. Thursday was the 40th and final day of the 2018 General Assembly. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
By Mark Niesse
March 29, 2018

A bill that would allow victims of domestic violence to break their leases without having to pay a penalty won final approval Thursday.

The Georgia House of Representatives voted 166-0 to pass House Bill 834, which is designed to help family violence victims escape their abusers.

Legislators say victims shouldn't be trapped in a violent relationship just because they can't afford to move out.

The measure would allow a tenant to terminate a residential lease 30 days after providing a landlord written notice when a judge has issued a protective order in a family violence case.

The bill now advances to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.

Never miss a minute of what's happening in Georgia Politics at PoliticallyGeorgia.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

A sign attached to the sidewalk supporting women's abortion rights sits across the street from the Planned Parenthood offices in Atlanta in 2022. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Planned Parenthood Southeast board investigating interim CEO

A group of former and current Planned Parenthood Southeast staff and board members alleges that Mairo Akpose expressed views not in line with the organization's goals.

4m ago
LISTEN

Stacey Abrams dives deeper into political fray at ‘No King’s Day’ protests

The ‘Politically Georgia’ team discuss the No King’s Day protests.

Organizers of Georgia ‘No Kings’ protests want to build beyond a march

After Saturday's Atlanta "No Kings" protest drew droves of demonstrators, event organizers want to channel that movement's energy into civic engagement in the state.

The Latest

A sign attached to the sidewalk supporting women's abortion rights sits across the street from the Planned Parenthood offices in Atlanta in 2022. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Planned Parenthood Southeast board investigating interim CEO

4m ago
LISTEN

Stacey Abrams dives deeper into political fray at ‘No King’s Day’ protests

Organizers of Georgia ‘No Kings’ protests want to build beyond a march

Featured

Coca-Cola plans to sell a majority stake in Africa’s largest Coca-Cola bottler. (AJC FILE)

Coca-Cola strikes deal to sell majority stake in one of its biggest bottlers

Coca-Cola said Tuesday it will sell a majority stake in Africa’s largest Coca-Cola bottler. 

TSA warns Atlanta airport security delays could get worse during shutdown

As the government shutdown stretches into Day 21, Atlanta airport security delays could get worse, a TSA spokesperson confirmed.

Ga. teacher urged to resign after Charlie Kirk post is suing her employer

The high school English teacher says Oglethorpe County School System violated her First Amendment rights.