D.C. Act 23-415. Eviction Notice Moratorium Emergency Amendment Act of 2020.

AN ACT

To amend, on an emergency basis, the Rental Housing Act of 1985 to prohibit housing providers from issuing notices to vacate and from engaging in actions intended to force tenants to leave their housing or otherwise give up their rights under the law for the remaining duration of the public health emergency and for 60 days thereafter.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Eviction Notice Moratorium Emergency Amendment Act of 2020".

Sec. 2. Section 501 of the Rental Housing Act of 1985, effective July 17, 1985 (D.C. Law 6-10, D.C. Official Code § 42-3505.01), is amended by adding a new subsection (q) to read as follows:

"(q)(1) Beginning on the effective date of the Eviction Notice Moratorium Emergency Amendment Act of 2020, passed on emergency basis on September 22, 2020 (Enrolled version of Bill 23-898), for the period of time during which there exists a public health emergency declared pursuant to section 5a of the District of Columbia Public Emergency Act of 1980, effective October 17, 2002 (D.C. Law 14-194; D.C. Official Code § 7-2304.01), and for 60 days thereafter no housing provider may:

"(A) Issue to a tenant a notice to vacate pursuant to this section; or

"(B) Engage in any action that is intended to force tenants to leave their housing or otherwise give up their rights under the law, including the actions described under section 502(a).

"(2) Any person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be subject to penalties under section 901(b).".

Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

Sec. 4. Effective date.

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)).