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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.

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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.

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