HB0256

Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit> Bill No.: HB0256 Drafter: LGC LSO No.: 11LSO-0588 Effective Date: 7/1/2011 Enrolled Act No.: HEA0097 Chapter No.: Prime Sponsor: Representative Craft Catch Title: Wyoming Safe Homes Act-2. Subject: Protections for tenants who have been subject to domestic abuse or sexual violence. Summary/Major Elements: Under current law there are no specific protections for tenants who have been subject to domestic abuse or sexual violence. This act provides that in any action brought by a landlord to recover rent from a tenant, the tenant shall have an affirmative defense and not be liable for rent when the tenant vacates the property if a court finds that: At the time the tenant vacated, the tenant or a member of the tenant's household was under a credible imminent threat of domestic abuse or sexual violence at the premises as demonstrated by medical, court or police evidence; The tenant gave at least seven days written notice to the landlord before vacating, stating that the reason for vacating was because of the threat of domestic abuse or sexual violence; If the tenant vacated the property because of an occurrence of domestic abuse or sexual violence, the domestic abuse or sexual violence occurred not more than sixty days prior to the tenant giving notice, unless the tenant could not reasonably have given notice within that time period. This act prohibits a landlord from terminating a tenancy based solely on the applicant's or household member's status as a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence. This act also provides that the protections in the act may not be waive or modified by any lease or separate agreement. Comments: Popular name: Wyoming Safe Homes Act