ORS 90.453
Termination by tenant who is victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking
- verification statement
(1)
As used in this section:(a)
“Immediate family member” means, with regard to a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, any of the following who is not a perpetrator of the domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking against the tenant:(A)
An adult person related by blood, adoption, marriage or domestic partnership, as defined in ORS 106.310 (Definitions for ORS 106.300 to 106.340), or as defined or described in similar law in another jurisdiction;(B)
A cohabitant in an intimate relationship;(C)
An unmarried parent of a joint child; or(D)
A child, grandchild, foster child, ward or guardian of the victim or of anyone listed in subparagraph (A), (B) or (C) of this paragraph.(b)
“Qualified third party” means a person that has had individual contact with the tenant and is a law enforcement officer, attorney or licensed health professional or is a victim’s advocate at a victim services provider.(c)
“Verification” means:(A)
A copy of a valid order of protection issued by a court pursuant to ORS 30.866 (Action for issuance or violation of stalking protective order), 107.095 (Provisions court may make after commencement of suit and before judgment) (1)(c), 107.716 (Hearing), 107.718 (Restraining order), 107.725 (Renewal of order entered under ORS 107.716 or 107.718), 107.730 (Modification of order entered under ORS 107.700 to 107.735), 163.738 (Effect of citation), 163.765 (Restraining order), 163.767 (Hearing) or 163.775 (Renewal and modification of restraining order) or any other federal, state, local or tribal court order that restrains a person from contact with the tenant;(B)
A copy of a federal agency or state, local or tribal police report regarding an act of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking against the tenant;(C)
A copy of a conviction of any person for an act of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking against the tenant; or(D)
A statement substantially in the form set forth in subsection (3) of this section.(d)
“Victim services provider” means:(A)
A nonprofit agency or program receiving moneys administered by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Justice that offers safety planning, counseling, support or advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; or(B)
A prosecution-based victim assistance program or unit.(2)
Intentionally left blank —Ed.(a)
If a tenant gives a landlord at least 14 days’ written notice, and the notice so requests, the landlord shall release the tenant and any immediate family member of the tenant from the rental agreement.(b)
The notice given by the tenant must specify the release date and must list the names of any immediate family members to be released in addition to the tenant.(c)
The notice must be accompanied by verification that the tenant:(A)
Is protected by a valid order of protection; or(B)
Has been the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking within the 90 days preceding the date of the notice. For purposes of this subparagraph, any time the perpetrator was incarcerated or residing more than 100 miles from the victim’s home does not count as part of the 90-day period.(3)
A verification statement must be signed by the tenant and the qualified third party and be in substantially the following form:(A)
I or a minor member of my household have been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, as those terms are defined in ORS 90.100 (Definitions).(B)
The most recent incident(s) that I rely on in support of this statement occurred on the following date(s): _________.(C)
I hereby declare that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I understand it is made for use as evidence in court and is subject to penalty for perjury.(A)
I am a law enforcement officer, attorney or licensed health professional or a victim’s advocate with a victims services provider, as defined in ORS 90.453 (Termination by tenant who is victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking).(B)
My name, business address and business telephone are as follows:(C)
The person who signed the statement above has informed me that the person or a minor member of the person’s household is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, based on incidents that occurred on the dates listed above.(D)
I reasonably believe the statement of the person above that the person or a minor member of the person’s household is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, as those terms are defined in ORS 90.100 (Definitions). I understand that the person who made the statement may use this document as a basis for gaining a release from the rental agreement with the person’s landlord.(4)
A tenant and any immediate family member who is released from a rental agreement pursuant to subsection (2) of this section:(a)
Is not liable for rent or damages to the dwelling unit incurred after the release date; and(b)
Is not subject to any fee solely because of termination of the rental agreement.(5)
Notwithstanding the release from a rental agreement of a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking and any tenant who is an immediate family member of that tenant, other tenants remain subject to the rental agreement.(6)
A landlord may not disclose any information provided by a tenant under this section to a third party unless the disclosure is:(a)
Consented to in writing by the tenant;(b)
Required for use in an eviction proceeding;(c)
Made to a qualified third party; or(d)
Required by law.(7)
The provision of a verification statement under subsection (2) of this section does not waive the confidential or privileged nature of a communication between the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking and a qualified third party. [2003 c.378 §4; 2007 c.508 §9; 2011 c.42 §9a; 2015 c.388 §6]
Source:
Section 90.453 — Termination by tenant who is victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; verification statement, https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors090.html
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