Indiana Senate working on lease protections for victims of domestic violence

I was not aware of this legislation until today. Protective orders can remove the abuser from the home but this often leaves questions about responsibilities for the rent payment. The Indiana Judicial Center has the following information:

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1509 concerning lease protections for victims of domestic violence. Landlords would have to change locks within 24 hours upon request of the tenant when presented with a copy of a Protection Order or No Contact Order against the perpetrator. The bill provides the tenant must reimburse the landlord for the cost of the locks in certain cases. The landlord must also release a tenant from the lease, after 30 days written notice to the landlord, if a written copy of the Protection Order or No Contact Order is provided to the landlord and other conditions are met. Kerry Blomquist, Legal Counsel, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spoke in favor of the bill, which passed 6-0.