A new Louisiana law aims to provide relief for victims of stalking and cyber-stalking by allowing them to terminate their apartment leases without penalties. This new legislation, set to take effect on August 1st, expands existing protections that already assist victims of domestic abuse.
Representative Mandy Landry of New Orleans championed the initiative after learning about a distressing case involving a stalking victim who felt trapped in a dangerous situation. "While he was not physically abusing her, he was essentially threatening her life. There was nothing that she could do to move," Landry explained.
Under the new law, tenants seeking to end their leases must complete a state-certified domestic abuse form to notify their landlord of the safety risk. Additionally, a qualified third party, such as a domestic violence resource center, must verify the claim to ensure the process is legitimate.
Landry's efforts were supported by both the Louisiana Apartment Association and the Louisiana Realtors Association. "Not just that stalking should be in it, but that cyber-stalking, that's something that would not have been considered years ago when this was passed," Landry noted.
The representative is raising awareness about this new law, which she believes will help victims escape bad situations without the burden of financial penalties. "You have someone who feels like they can't go anywhere because they can't afford to lose six months on a lease and they just don't know what to do. They think that they're stuck," she stated.
