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HB 297

LEASES: Expands early lease termination to include stalking and cyberstalking

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bayham and 19 co-sponsors

Louisiana HB 297 allows tenants experiencing stalking or cyberstalking to terminate leases early without penalties, extending existing domestic violence protections to harassment victims.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 297

Legislative bill overview

HB 297 expands Louisiana's early lease termination protections to include victims of stalking and cyberstalking, in addition to existing protections for domestic violence victims. The bill allows tenants experiencing stalking or cyberstalking to break their leases without penalty by providing appropriate documentation of the threat.

Why is this important

Stalking and cyberstalking can pose serious safety risks requiring victims to relocate quickly, similar to domestic violence situations. Current law doesn't recognize these threats as justifying lease breaks, potentially trapping victims in unsafe housing situations or exposing them to financial penalties for breaking leases to ensure their safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining cyberstalking: The bill may face questions about what constitutes cyberstalking versus ordinary online harassment, and what documentation would adequately prove it occurred
  • Landlord concerns: Property owners may worry about revenue loss from early terminations and disputes over whether alleged stalking is genuine or a pretext for lease avoidance
  • Implementation burden: Landlords and courts must determine when documentation sufficiently proves stalking/cyberstalking, potentially creating disputes and inconsistent enforcement

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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