Rhode Island H7199: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND SURVIVOR EARLY LEASE TERMINATION ACT (Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. Effective 7/1/26.)

What the bill says

An act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm to an individual and, for purposes of this chapter includes, but is not limited to, any of the following crimes, regardless of whether these acts or threats have been reported to law enforcement (ii) Child molestation (§§ 11-37-8.1 and 11-37-8.3); (iii) Domestic violence; (iv) Enticement of children (§ 11-26-1.5); (v) Indecent solicitation of a child (§ 11-37-8.8); (vi) Kidnapping (§§ 11-26-1 and 11-26-1.4); (vii) Sexual assault (chapter 37 of title 11); (viii) Stalking (§ 11-59-2); (ix) Strangulation (§ 11-5-2.3); and (x).

From the introduced text, January 21, 2026:

an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm to an individual and, for purposes of this chapter includes, but is not limited to, any of the following crimes, regardless of whether these acts or threats have been reported to law enforcement (ii) Child molestation (§§ 11-37-8.1 and 11-37-8.3); (iii) Domestic violence; (iv) Enticement of children (§ 11-26-1.5); (v) Indecent solicitation of a child (§ 11-37-8.8); (vi) Kidnapping (§§ 11-26-1 and 11-26-1.4); (vii) Sexual assault (chapter 37 of title 11); (viii) Stalking (§ 11-59-2); (ix) Strangulation (§ 11-5-2.3); and (x) Trafficking (chapter 67.1 of title 11). (2)(3) "Action" includes recoupment, counterclaim, set-off, suit in equity, and any other proceeding in which rights are determined, including an action for possession; (3)(4) "Building and housing codes" include any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation concerning fitness for habitation, or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use, or appearance of any premises of dwelling unit; (5) "Domestic violence" for purposes of this chapter, means, but is not limited to, any of the following crimes when committed by one family or household member against another, regardless of whether these acts or threats have been reported to law enforcement (ii) Felony assaults (chapter 5 of title 11); (iii) Vandalism (§ 11-44-1); (iv) Disorderly conduct (§ 11-45-1); (v) Trespass (§ 11-44-26); (vi) Kidnapping …