New laws come into force in Georgia
One of the new state laws is helping stalking victims to relocate from potentially dangerous situations.
ATLANTA – A new Georgia The law went into effect on July 1 to assist stalking victims in relocating from potentially dangerous situations.
“So I woke up this morning and thought, ‘You’re making me a law!’ And it’s so amazing because it’s not just any law, but a law that we know will save lives, “said Senator Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain.
Senator Jackson was the primary sponsor of Senate Act 75, which allows victims under a civil or criminal stalking order to terminate a rental agreement without fines. You must provide your apartment complex or landlord with a copy of the court order and 30 days’ written notice.
“We felt it was very important to make sure that you were actually a documented victim of stalking. So that you could actually get a police report and go through the courts for a protection order,” said Senator Jackson. “Part of it’s just to make sure you have access to the resources you need, that you have protection, right, that the police know.”
Until now, state law only allowed victims of domestic violence to break their rental agreements.
Now that the law is in place, Senator Jackson said it was important to raise awareness so victims know they have an opportunity to relocate.
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