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STOP CASTLE DOCTRINE EVICTIONS – SUPPORT HB 2879

Written by Leigh Gibson Published

STOP CASTLE DOCTRINE EVICTIONS – SUPPORT HB 2879 BY ISAAC

Overview:

HB 2879 by Rep. Isaac closes a critical gap in Texas defense laws by ensuring that individuals who rent their homes, live in condominiums, or reside in manufactured home communities have the same legal protection as homeowners forced to defend themselves or others.

Key Points:

  1. Homeowners vs. Renters: Unequal Self-Defense Protections
  • Current Issue: Texas law recognizes a homeowner’s right to use force or deadly force in self-defense without facing property-related consequences. However, renters and condominium owners face eviction or fines even when acting lawfully.
  • The Fix: HB 2879 ensures tenants, condo owners, and manufactured home residents cannot be evicted or penalized for using legally justified force or deadly force.
  1. Renters, Condo Owners, and Manufactured Home Residents Are Unfairly Penalized
  • Problem: Unlike homeowners, individuals in rental properties, condominiums, and manufactured home communities face eviction, fines, or other penalties for defending themselves or others.
  • HB 2879 Solution: Prevents landlords, condominium associations, and community owners from punishing legally justified defense actions in these residential settings, protecting renters, condominium owners, and their guests.
  1. Legal Clarity: Presumption of Justification
  • If a person is found not guilty, a grand jury declines to indict, or a prosecutor refuses to file charges, the law presumes their use of force or deadly force was justified. This stops landlords, HOAs, and manufactured home park owners from acting against legally justified defense.

Legislative Improvements:

Amends the Texas Property Code to prohibit evictions, fines, or retaliation for justified defense.

Provides equal self-defense rights for renters, condo owners, and manufactured home residents.

Reinforces legal clarity by ensuring justified force or deadly force is recognized and protected in housing law.

Contact your representative!

Self-defense is a fundamental right that should not depend on where you live. Support HB 2879 by Rep. Isaac to ensure all Texans—homeowners and renters alike—are treated equally under the law. Ask your lawmaker to join Rep. Isaac in supporting this important piece of legislation.