Politics
Politics

Domestic abuse victims could escape violent homes under Georgia bill

2/28/18 - Atlanta -House members vote on one of many bills considered on crossover day. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

2/28/18 - Atlanta -House members vote on one of many bills considered on crossover day. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
By Mark Niesse
March 9, 2018

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.

Never miss a minute of what's happening in Georgia Politics. Subscribe to PoliticallyGeorgia.com.

“Picking Winners and Losers,” the Phrase of the Week by James Salzer. Video by Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston speaks during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

A Georgia Inspector General's report found State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston violated the board's code of conduct by attending a Donald Trump campaign rally.

Georgia investigators ramp up probe into First Liberty collapse

Witnesses are being called in Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's civil inquiry into the collapse of First Liberty Building & Loan.

OPINION

Red flags piling up for Georgia Republicans heading into 2026 midterms

The warnings are mounting for Georgia Republicans about the danger they'll face in the 2026 midterm elections if the party does not change course.

The Latest

State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston speaks during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

OPINION

Red flags piling up for Georgia Republicans heading into 2026 midterms

Warnock urges Congress to do more to combat America’s affordability crisis

Featured

Students line up after school for school buses at Sequoyah Middle School in Doraville on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The school’s principal told teachers not to talk to students about ICE, and teachers and activists are pushing back. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

DeKalb students raise fears about ICE raids; teachers told not to talk about it

The Sequoyah Middle School community asked DeKalb school officials to better support students who fear ICE.

Two-day effort helps free endangered right whale off Georgia coast

Georgia state officials helped disentangle a North American right whale, one of the most endangered whales on the planet.

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

A Georgia Inspector General's report found State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston violated the board's code of conduct by attending a Donald Trump campaign rally.