Battered women and rape victims who have to flee their homes for their own safety got some help from state lawmakers last week.

Both the House and Senate have unanimously passed HB 1645, which makes it easier for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking to break rental agreements.

"It doesn't make sense to force them to stay in danger because of a lease," said Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, the bill's sponsor.

The bill allows the victims to break the rental agreement, so long as they pay the current month's rent. It also bars landlords from kicking a renter out or denying a rental agreement because someone's a domestic violence victim. Kessler called such screening "a slap in the face" for people and their children who are trying to escape abuse.

The bill now goes to Gov. Gary Locke to be signed into law.

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