State Democratic legislators have filed matching bills to allow survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking to terminate their rental agreements without financial penalties.

The legislation, H.B. 107 and S.B. 142 , was filed by state Rep. Johanna López, D-Orlando, and state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, D-Orlando.

They say the bills address a "critical barrier that keeps survivors trapped in dangerous situations: the inability to break a lease without facing substantial financial consequences."

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness, and the inability to afford early termination fees or forfeited deposits often forces survivors to "remain in unsafe homes," say the legislators. They note that under current law, "there are no clear protections

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