Georgia House passes bill to let domestic abuse victims break leases.

Victims of domestic violence wouldn’t be financially trapped in abusive homes under a bill that unanimously passed the Georgia House of Representatives.

The legislation, House Bill 834, allows victims of family violence to break their leases without an early termination penalty after a judge issues a protective order.

"All too often, victims of domestic violence are asked, 'Why didn't you leave?' And often, it is because they couldn't afford to," said Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta, during a speech last week in the Georgia House. "This bill makes it possible for them to leave."

The House voted 166-0 to approve HB 834 on Feb. 28. The bill is now pending in the state Senate.

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