Portsmouth Daily Times: Bill would allow military spouses to get out of leases without penalty

On Thursday, Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced the bipartisan Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act.

The legislation, originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Cheri Bustos (D-IL), would modify the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to allow a widow or widower of a service member who died while in military service (i.e., a Gold Star spouse) to terminate a jointly held residential lease, without penalty, within one year of the servicemember’s death.

“A grieving military spouse dealing with the death of their loved one on active duty should be able to end their lease without paying high termination fees,” said Sen. Portman. “This bill, with the support of numerous veterans’ groups and the Department of Defense, is a commonsense fix for Gold Star spouses. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to join me in supporting this legislation to provide relief for our Gold Star spouses.”

“All three of my brothers served in the military and I deeply appreciate the sacrifices that service members make for our country. We owe them-and their families-the very best,” said Sen.Warren. “I’m glad to partner with my colleagues on a bipartisan bill to provide grieving widows and widowers with financial relief and peace of mind from residential leases that are no longer necessary following the tragic death of their service member spouse.”

Read the full story on the Portsmouth Daily Times website here.

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