SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF3492/HF3591, authored by Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL – Minneapolis) on a vote of 68-61. The 2024 Tenant’s Rights Policy Bill includes provisions to safeguard tenants’ right to organize, protect tenant survivors of domestic violence, clarify tenant’s rights to emergency services, prohibit rental discrimination based on public assistance, and more.
"Strong tenant protections create stability and respect, allowing residents to feel secure in their homes," said Rep. Agbaje, Vice Chair of the House Housing Policy & Finance Committee. "Our comprehensive bill will strengthen and clarify tenant protection laws to ensure a fair rental market. This means tenants can advocate for decent living conditions, be free from discrimination based on public assistance, and won't be punished for experiencing domestic violence by losing their home. I'm proud to author this bill because it prioritizes Minnesota families and keeps them safe and housed."
The bill allows domestic violence survivors to break their lease and vacate early to escape abuse, with the survivor's notice of their termination date. Landlords face harsher penalties for revealing a survivor's information, and survivors cannot be evicted if they followed proper procedures to break the lease.
The bill also creates the right for tenants to organize in their building without retaliation from their landlord. The ability to organize allows tenants to work together with their landlord to create the type of living environment that works for the residents.
In addition, a separate provision protects tenants from eviction or penalty for calling emergency services, including domestic violence, mental health needs, or any crisis. This prevents cities from enacting rules that force evictions based on emergency calls or fining landlords for tenant calls for help. This ensures tenants feel safe seeking assistance without fear of losing their home.
Rep. Agbaje’s package of landlord-tenant reforms is one piece of a long-term strategy by House DFLers to ensure all Minnesotans have a stable and affordable place to call home. Last session, lawmakers successfully enshrined tenant protections and updated Minnesota’s laws to give tenants the ability to further advocate for safe and dignified living spaces.
This policy bill also builds on 2023’s historic $1 billion investment – the state's most significant commitment ever to address the housing crisis. This investment created housing stability for Minnesota families on the verge of homelessness through new state-based housing vouchers, spurred the production of new homes across the state, and delivered pathways to homeownership for thousands of Minnesotans.
Video of the House Floor debate can be found on the House Info YouTube Page.
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