SRC-LBB, VRA S.B. 92 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 92
78R814 AJA-DBy: West, Royce
Business & Commerce
4/25/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no statute in state law that prohibits a landlord from
evicting a tenant from a rental property because law enforcement or
emergency assistance was called in response to domestic violence.  As
proposed, S.B. 92 prohibits a landlord from limiting a residential
tenant's right to summon police or other emergency assistance in response
to domestic violence or other conduct.  This bill also prohibits landlords
from imposing penalties on such tenants. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, by adding
Section 92.015, as follows: 

Sec.  92.015.  TENANT'S RIGHT TO SUMMON POLICE OR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
(a)  Prohibits a landlord from performing certain actions regarding a
residential tenant's right to summon police or emergency assistance. 

  (b)  Prohibits the provisions of this section from being waived by
contract.   

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.