Bill Text: HI HB245 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Landlord-Tenant Code; Domestic Abuse

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-03-14 - The committee on CPN deferred the measure. [HB245 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-HB245-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  738

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 245

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 245 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect victims of domestic abuse by, among other things:

 

(1)  Prohibiting landlords from terminating a tenancy, failing to renew a tenancy, or refusing to enter into a rental agreement based on the tenant's status as a victim of domestic abuse if the tenant provides the landlord with a protective order or documentation certifying that the tenant or a child of the tenant is a victim of domestic abuse; and

 

(2)  Authorizing landlords to terminate or decline to renew a tenancy under certain conditions.   

 

     The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and several concerned individuals supported this measure.  A concerned individual opposed this bill.  The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Association of REALTORS, and Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence submitted comments.

 

     Upon consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Deleting prospective tenants from the definition of "tenant";

 

(2)  Deleting the provision authorizing a prevailing party to recover court costs and reasonable attorney's fees; and

 

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 245, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 245, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

 

		____________________________ ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair