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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 10, 2014 09:53 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Eddie Day Pashinski |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Crime at Rental Properties |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will allow tenants of public housing units to deposit rent into an escrow account in the event their units have a history of criminal activity. I have heard multiple complaints from my constituents who live in public housing units regarding the rampant criminal activity in their neighborhoods. No person should be forced to live in an unsafe area simply because their landlord has neglected the property in question. This legislation will give tenants the option of depositing their rent into an escrow account controlled by the municipality in which they reside. This option will be available if the police department or public safety department in their municipality declares the public housing dwelling to have a history of criminal activity. These funds will then be withheld from the landlord until the declaration is lifted. If, after six months after the declaration is issued the landlord has done nothing, the funds will be returned to the tenant. During this time period, the landlord may utilize the funds in the escrow account to make the public housing dwelling safe. It is my belief that we need to do more to motivate these property owners to fight criminal activity. This legislation will provide the push they need to take action. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB2311