Landlords must now return security deposits within 21 days of a tenancy ending and can only withhold money for unpaid rent, other agreed-upon charges, or repairs beyond normal wear and tear. If a tenant requests an itemized accounting within 45 days, the landlord must provide it, and landlords who fail to follow these rules or wrongfully keep deposits face up to $200 in punitive damages.
The amendment changes the timeframe for returning security deposits from "two weeks" to "twenty-one days" and makes minor language clarifications (such as replacing "shall" with "must" and removing redundant words), which slightly strengthens tenant protections by providing a longer but more clearly defined deadline. These are primarily technical and formatting revisions that do not materially shift the bill's core purpose of regulating security deposit procedures.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 256
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 197
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 229
Signed by the President S.J. 186
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 2. H.J. 208
Commerce and Energy Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Commerce and Energy Do Pass Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0.
Commerce and Energy Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Commerce and Energy H.J. 114
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0. S.J. 75
Commerce and Energy Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Commerce and Energy Do Pass Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0.
Commerce and Energy Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Commerce and Energy S.J. 10
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Do Pass
Commerce and Energy — Do Pass
Do Pass
Commerce and Energy — Do Pass