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Domestic Violence Bill Passes Oklahoma House

LLUDO / FLICKR (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

The Oklahoma State Senate approved a bill Monday that allows domestic violence survivors to end a lease early without penalty.

Under Senate Bill 200, tenants could terminate the lease by giving the landlord a written notice and either a protective order or police report within 30 days of the violent incident.

State Senator John Michael Montgomery said survivors of domestic violence are often trapped in their situation with no way to escape their home if they can’t afford to terminate the lease.

"This measure would allow victims to end their lease early without penalty so they can move and make a fresh start for themselves without their abuser knowing where they live," said Montgomery.

The Lawton Republican said his bill also prohibits landlords from denying renewal to survivors of domestic assault, sexual assault or stalking.

The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board reports 115 people died in 2019 from domestic violence with 84 percent killed by a family member or intimate partner. Another six percent were killed by a roommate.

The measure was approved by a vote of 45 to 1, with Senator Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) casting the lone vote against. The bill now heads to the State House for consideration.

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