MCEDSV Supports in Principle HB 4676, Legislation Expanding Conditions for Early Lease Termination

Summary

Testimony dated October 7, 2021 by Elinor Jordan on behalf of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV), addressed to Chairman Lilly and Members of the House Rules and Competitiveness Committee. It states that the Coalition supports HB 4676 in principle, a bill expanding the conditions under which early lease termination without penalty is allowed for victims. The testimony says MCEDSV is working with the sponsor, Rep. Tenisha Yancey, on limited amendments so the new provisions do not diminish existing protections. It recalls that MCEDSV worked to pass the first early lease termination law in Michigan in 2010 (Public Act 199).

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Cite this document

“MCEDSV Supports in Principle HB 4676, Legislation Expanding Conditions for Early Lease Termination.” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2021-10-07-testimony-rule-2021-elly-jordan-47400-4fc3dfe2d6/, SHA-256 57cf56457a40b58579dff300842ae82d2dd72042cd5014796d4c9a730a872cc5.

Full text

Text recognized from a scanned document; may contain errors.

mcedsv

Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence

MCEDSV Supports in Principle HB 4676,
Legislation Expanding Conditions for Early Lease Termination

October 7, 2021

Good morning, Chairman Lilly, and Members of the House Rules and Competitiveness
Committee. My name is Elinor Jordan. I'm pleased to be here today on behalf of the Michigan
Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV or “the Coalition”). MCEDSV is a
statewide nonprofit with over 70 members serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual
assault, stalking, and human trafficking in every Michigan county. Our members lead
prevention efforts in their communities and also provide support, crisis intervention, advocacy,
and shelter to victims. The Coalition supports HB 4676 in principle, a bill expanding the
conditions under which an early lease termination without penalty is allowed for victims. We

are currently working with the sponsor, Rep. Tenisha Yancey, on some limited amendments.

Domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking are patterned crimes and victims can be
particularly vulnerable to repeat violations. Victims, and those who fear being victimized, often
must flee, and relocate in order to evade their abusers. When these individuals are tied to
rental housing through a long-term lease, they might be forced to decide between remaining in
a location where they can be easily found or suffering the financial losses associated with
breaking a rental agreement. Given this dynamic and knowing that economic self-sufficiency is
critical to survivor safety and healing, MCEDSV worked with then-State Senator Valde Garcia
and other key stakeholders to pass the first early lease termination Jaw in Michigan in 2010
(Public Act 199).

In my practice as an attorney supporting survivors, | am indebted to the thoughtful effort that
went into existing protections. Just a few months ago, | spoke with a survivor of domestic

violence who was literally standing with her belongings on the sidewalk wondering what to do,
The person who harmed her was going to be released at any moment and she could not afford
to pay rent on more than one apartment. When | informed her that Michigan law offered a
protection where she could seek lease termination, | could feel the relief wash over her through

the phone—she could finally seek safety. Make no mistake-these protections save lives.

The Coalition is grateful to Rep. Yancey for her interest in strengthening these protections via
HB 4676. We have recommended some minor edits to ensure that the new provisions do not
unintentionally diminish existing protections and to ensure consistency with other provisions of
Michigan law. Rep. Yancey has been open and receptive to these proposed changes, and we

look forward to finalizing our discussions in the near future.

In closing, thank you to Rep. Yancey for your leadership on this important issue, and thank
you, Chairman Lilly, for the opportunity to share our views. | would be happy to answer any
questions or concerns members may have at this time. Alternatively, | can be contacted at

Elinor.jordan@mcedsv.org.

File and source

File: 2021-10-07_testimony_rule-2021-elly-jordan_47400.pdf
Size: 51,499 bytes
SHA-256: 57cf56457a40b58579dff300842ae82d2dd72042cd5014796d4c9a730a872cc5
Our copy: 2021-10-07_testimony_rule-2021-elly-jordan_47400.pdf
Original: No public link identified.