119 HR 5700 IH: Break Free From Domestic Violence Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-10-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5700IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 6, 2025Mrs. Sykes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial ServicesA BILLTo provide additional housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Break Free From Domestic Violence Act.

2.

Prohibition on the imposition of fees for early lease termination

Section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491) is amended by adding at the end the following: (h)

Prohibition on the imposition of fees for early lease termination

(1)

Voluntary exit

An applicant for or tenant of housing assisted under a covered housing program may voluntarily exit a lease for housing earlier than the end date of such lease on the basis that the applicant or tenant has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. (2)

Fee prohibition

Notwithstanding any lease agreement, an applicant or tenant described in paragraph (1) may not be charged a fee for exiting a lease for housing earlier than the end date of such lease on the basis described in paragraph (1)..