A bill signed by Gov. Brown this week gives survivors of human trafficking the right to terminate residential leases to protect themselves against their abusers.
Gov. Jerry Brown
The law also strengthens existing protections for survivors of domestic violence who are forced to vacate a rental property for their personal safety.
Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco
Authored by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, SB 612 allows a tenant to precipitate the move-out process by providing the landlord with a written report, prepared by a medical provider, declaring that abuse occurred.
This increases protections for victims of crimes including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, elder or dependent abuse, and human trafficking.
The bill, which received bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature, officially becomes state law on Jan. 1.