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6/10/2026
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Assembly approves bill to enable abuse survivors to exit rental leases
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 STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Melissa Murray and Rep. Karen Alzate to enable abuse survivors to terminate rental leases for the sake of their protection. The bill now goes to the governor.
The legislation (2026-S 2291A, 2026-H 7199A) would allow tenants who are survivors of abuse to terminate a rental lease early without penalty or liability for future rent. The legislation also establishes a process for abuse survivors to request that their landlords change their locks.
“There are many roadblocks that prevent survivors from leaving abusive situations, and leases can be one of them. No one should stay in an abusive situation because of their lease. Our bill would provide a legal path for those who need to break their lease to flee abuse, so that it will be one less obstacle standing in the way of their safety,” said Representative Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls).
Said Senator Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield), “For many survivors of abuse, the economics of escape, particularly during the housing crisis in our state, seem utterly impossible. With this bill, Rhode Island can make it a little easier for them. Their lease should not have to be a concern when they need to protect themselves or their family from abuse.”
The legislation was strongly supported by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“The Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act is about safety, fairness and saving lives. Right now, a survivor’s ability to leave an unsafe home depends entirely on who they rent from, and that is not just,” said RICADV Executive Director Lucy Rios. “This bill creates a clear, confidential process that allows survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to leave dangerous situations without facing penalties, eviction or financial ruin. It also provides clarity for landlords and helps prevent escalating violence at rental properties. Survivors have gone without these protections for far too long. Rhode Island should join every other New England state and the 41 states nationwide that already have this protection in place, ensuring that safety is never out of reach because of a lease.”
Under the legislation, a person who has been the victim of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or whose household member has, would have the right to terminate their lease early if they are in fear of their safety. The renter would need to provide written verification, such as from a law enforcement official, attorney, health care provider, social worker, therapist or advocate, that they’ve been a victim of abuse. The tenant would then have 30 days to vacate the premises and be entitled to a refund of any prepaid rent or applicable security deposit.
The bill also provides a process by which a victim can request that their landlord change their locks to protect them from an abuser. If the threat of abuse is coming from a co-tenant, the victim would need to provide a copy of a valid protective order against the co-tenant or a record from law enforcement indicating that the co-tenant poses a threat of abuse. Landlords would then need to make a good faith effort to change the lock within two days or give the tenant permission to do it, and shall not provide the key to the perpetrator.
Most other states, including Massachusetts, offer some protection to abuse survivors when they need to terminate a lease.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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