Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; early termination of rental agreement.

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act;early termination of rental agreement; victims of sexual abuse orcriminal sexual assault. Provides that a tenant who is a victimof family abuse, sexual abuse, or other criminal sexual assaultmay terminate such tenant's obligations under a rental agreement if the tenant (i) has obtained a protective order and has given properwritten notice of termination during the period of the protectiveorder or any extension thereof or (ii) as evidence of such abuseor criminal sexual assault, has obtained (a) records or files froma federal or state agency, law-enforcement agency, or court; (b)documentation from a domestic violence or sexual assault program;(c) documentation from a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensedminister of any religious denomination who provides proper proof ofhis credentials as outlined in the bill; or (d) documentation froma medical professional licensed by the Board of Medicine or Boardof Nursing or a mental health service provider and has given written notice of termination. Under current law, there must be a familyabuse protective order or a conviction before the tenant may terminatesuch obligations under a rental agreement.