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Mayor Nutter Expected To Sign New Bill For Domestic Violence Victims

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mayor Nutter is likely to sign a measure okay-ed in City Council this week giving new protections to victims of domestic violence. If it becomes law, the victims would have protection from eviction.

This bill includes two protections for victims of domestic violence who happen to be renters. On one hand, the victims would be able to split a lease in half if both she and the abusive partner have their names on the lease.

"To halve it if the abuser is also part of it, so the abuser can be evicted and the tenant can stay. Similar bills have been passed in 22 states around the country. So this is not a new concept," says Councilman Bill Greenlee.

The other protection is the converse -- a victim of domestic violence would be able to get out of a lease early in order to flee from an abuser without facing penalties or credit issues.

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio

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