H.R. 5700

119 HR 5700 IH: Break Free From Domestic Violence Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-10-06
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 5700  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   October 6, 2025   Mrs. Sykes  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Financial Services    A BILL
To provide additional housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Break Free From Domestic Violence Act  .
2.
Prohibition on the imposition of fees for early lease termination
Section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ( 34 U.S.C. 12491 ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(h)
Prohibition on the imposition of fees for early lease termination
(1)
Voluntary exit
An applicant for or tenant of housing assisted under a covered housing program may voluntarily exit a lease for housing earlier than the end date of such lease on the basis that the applicant or tenant has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(2)
Fee prohibition
Notwithstanding any lease agreement, an applicant or tenant described in paragraph (1) may not be charged a fee for exiting a lease for housing earlier than the end date of such lease on the basis described in paragraph (1).
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