HF 2134: Relating to rental agreements and early termination rights of tenants who are victims of certain crimes

What it does

This bill allows a victim of certain crimes to terminate a rental agreement early. The bill allows a tenant to terminate a rental agreement without penalty or liability if the tenant provides written notification to the landlord that a tenant or household member is a victim of an act of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, elder abuse, or other crime that poses a substantial threat of personal injury or death and is punishable as a felony or misdemeanor. The bill provides that the written notice provided to the landlord shall contain one of the following documents: a copy of a protective order, a copy of a written report by a peace officer stating that a tenant or household member is a victim of an act or crime, documentation from a qualified third party based on information received by a licensed health care services provider, licensed mental health care provider, or a victim counselor that a tenant or household member is seeking assistance for abuse or physical or mental injuries resulting from an act or crime, or any other form of documentation that reasonably certifies that the act or crime occurred.

House subcommittee · named February 6, 2025

• Rep. Henry Stone (R) · henry.stone@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Brian K. Lohse (R) · brian.lohse@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) · beth.wessel-kroeschell@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 18 for, 1 against

For: AARP Iowa; American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Iowa Community Action Association; Iowa Homeless Coalition; Iowa Mental Health Advocacy; Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance; Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum); League of Women Voters of Iowa; and 6 more

Against: Iowa Manufactured Housing Association

In plain words

1. February 6, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee · as HSB 141
2. February 6, 2025House subcommittee named: Stone, Lohse and Wessel-Kroeschell · as HSB 141
3. February 13, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 141
4. March 6, 2025Approved by the House committee · as HSB 141
5. March 6, 2025Committee vote: 21–0 · as HSB 141
6. January 21, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
7. January 21, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2134 · as HSB 141