H.R. 5700 — Introduced in House

I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5700 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 6, 2025Mrs. Sykes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services A BILL To 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). .