Today's Law As Amended


Bill PDF |Add To My Favorites | print page

SB-612 Residential tenancy: victims of human trafficking and elder or dependent adult abuse.(2013-2014)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Section 1946.7 of the Civil Code is amended to read:

1946.7.
 (a) A tenant may notify the landlord that the tenant intends to terminate the tenancy if the tenant, a household member, or an immediate family member was the he or she or a household member was a  victim of an act that constitutes any of the following: an act of domestic violence as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 261.5, 262, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code, stalking as defined in Section 1708.7, human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult as defined in Section 15610.07 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and that the tenant intends to terminate the tenancy. 
(1) Domestic violence as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code.
(2) Sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 261.5, 286, 287, or 289 of the Penal Code.
(3) Stalking as defined in Section 1708.7.
(4) Human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code.
(5) Abuse of an elder or a dependent adult as defined in Section 15610.07 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(6) A crime that caused bodily injury or death.
(7) A crime that included the exhibition, drawing, brandishing, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapon or instrument.
(8) A crime that included the use of force against the victim or a threat of force against the victim.
(b) A notice to terminate a tenancy under this section shall be in writing, with one of the following attached to the notice:
(1) A copy of a temporary restraining order, emergency protective order, or protective order lawfully issued pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 6240) or Part 4 (commencing with Section 6300) of Division 10 of the Family Code, Section 136.2 of the Penal Code, Section 527.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or Section 213.5 or 15657.03 of the Welfare and Institutions Code that protects the tenant, household member, or immediate family  tenant or household  member from further domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or  abuse of an elder or a dependent adult, or any act or crime listed in subdivision (a). adult. 
(2) A copy of a written report by a peace officer employed by a state or local law enforcement agency acting in the peace officer’s his or her  official capacity stating that the tenant, household member, or immediate family  tenant or household  member has filed a report alleging that the tenant, the household member, or the immediate family  he or she or the household  member is a victim of an act or crime listed in subdivision (a). domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult. 
(3) (A) Documentation from a qualified third party based on information received by that third party while acting in the third party’s his or her  professional capacity to indicate that the tenant, household member, or immediate family  tenant or household  member is seeking assistance for physical or mental injuries or abuse resulting from an act or crime listed in subdivision (a). of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse. 
(B) The documentation shall contain, in substantially the same form, the following:
Tenant Statement and Qualified Third Party Statement
under Civil Code Section 1946.7
Part I.Statement By Tenant
 
I, [insert name of tenant], state as follows:
 
I, or a member of my household or immediate family,  household,  have been a victim of:
[insert one or more of the following: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, or a crime that caused bodily injury or death, a crime that included the exhibition, drawing, brandishing, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapon or instrument, or a crime that included the use of force against the victim or a threat of force against the victim.] or dependent adult abuse.] 
 
The most recent incident(s) happened on or about:
[insert date or dates.]
 
The incident(s) was/were committed by the following person(s), with these physical description(s), if known and safe to provide:  
[if known and safe to provide, insert name(s) and physical description(s).]
(signature of tenant)(date) 
Part II.Qualified Third Party Statement
I, [insert name of qualified third party], state as follows:
 
My business address and phone number are:
[insert business address and phone number.]
Check and complete one of the following:
____I meet the requirements for a sexual assault counselor provided in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code and I am either engaged in an office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center described in that section or employed by an organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code.
____I meet the requirements for a domestic violence counselor provided in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code and I am employed, whether financially compensated or not, by a domestic violence victim service organization, as defined in that section.
____I meet the requirements for a human trafficking caseworker provided in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code and I am employed, whether financially compensated or not, by an organization that provides programs specified in Section 18294 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code.
____I meet the definition of “victim of violent crime advocate” provided in Section 1947.6 of the Civil Code and I am employed, whether financially compensated or not, by an agency or organization that has a documented record of providing services to victims of violent crime or provides those services under the auspices or supervision of a court or a law enforcement or prosecution agency.
____I am licensed by the State of California as a:
[insert one of the following: physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, registered nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional clinical counselor.] and I am licensed by, and my license number is:
[insert name of state licensing entity and license number.]
The person who signed the Statement By Tenant above stated to me that the person, or  he or she, or  a member of the person’s household or immediate family, his or her household,  is a victim of:
[insert one or more of the following: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, or a crime that caused physical injury, emotional injury and the threat of physical injury, or death.] or dependent adult abuse.] 
The person further stated to me the incident(s) occurred on or about the date(s) stated above.
I understand that the person who made the Statement By Tenant may use this document as a basis for terminating a lease with the person’s landlord.
(signature of qualified third party)(date)  
(C) The documentation may be signed by a person who meets the requirements for a sexual assault counselor, domestic violence counselor, or  a human trafficking caseworker, or a victim of violent crime advocate  caseworker  only if the documentation displays the letterhead of the office, hospital, institution, center, or organization, as appropriate, that engages or employs, whether financially compensated or not, this counselor, caseworker,  counselor  or advocate. caseworker. 
(4) Any other form of documentation that reasonably verifies that the crime or act listed in subdivision (a) occurred.
(c) If the tenant is terminating tenancy pursuant to subdivision (a) because an immediate family member is a victim of an eligible act or crime listed in subdivision (a) and that tenant did not live in the same household as the immediate family member at the time of the act or crime, and no part of the act or crime occurred within the dwelling unit or within 1,000 feet of the dwelling unit of the tenant, the tenant shall attach to the notice and other documentation required by subdivision (b) a written statement stating all of the following:
(1) The tenant’s immediate family member was a victim of an act or crime listed in subdivision (a).
(2) The tenant intends to relocate as a result of the tenant’s immediate family member being a victim of an act or crime listed in subdivision (a).
(3) The tenant is relocating to increase the safety, physical well-being, emotional well-being, psychological well-being, or financial security of the tenant or of the tenant’s immediate family member as a result of the act or crime.
(d) (c)  The notice to terminate the tenancy shall be given within 180 days of the date that any order described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) was issued, within 180 days of the date that any written report described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) was made, within 180 days of the date that an act or a crime described in subdivision (a) occurred, or  or  within the time period described in Section 1946.
(e) (d)  If notice to terminate the tenancy is provided to the landlord under this section, the tenant shall be responsible for payment of rent for no more than 14 calendar  30  days following the giving of the notice, or for any shorter  within the  appropriate period as described in Section 1946 or the lease or rental agreement. The tenant  1946, and thereafter  shall be released without penalty  from any further  rent or other  payment obligation to the landlord  under the lease or rental agreement. If the premises are relet to another party prior to the end of the obligation to pay rent, the rent owed under this subdivision shall be prorated. rental agreement without penalty. Existing law governing the security deposit shall apply. 
(f) (e)  Notwithstanding any law, a landlord shall not, due to the termination, require a tenant who terminates a lease or rental agreement pursuant to this section to forfeit any security deposit money or advance rent paid. A tenant who terminates a rental agreement pursuant to this section shall not be considered for any purpose, by reason of the termination, to have breached the lease or rental agreement. In all other respects, the If within the 30 days following the giving of the notice under this section the tenant quits the premises and the premises are rented to another party, the rent due on the premises for that 30-day period shall be prorated. Existing  law governing the security deposit shall apply.
(g) (f)  This section does not relieve Nothing in this section relieves  a tenant, other than the tenant who is, or who has a household member or immediate family member  who is, a victim of an act or crime listed in subdivision (a)  domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult  and members of that tenant’s household, from their obligations under the lease or  rental agreement.
(h) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(g)  (1) “Household member”  member,” as used in this section,  means a member of the tenant’s family who lives in the same residential unit  household  as the tenant.
(2) “Health practitioner” means a physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, registered nurse, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional clinical counselor, or a victim of violent crime advocate.
(3) “Immediate family member” means the parent, stepparent, spouse, child, child-in-law, stepchild, or sibling of the tenant, or any person living in the tenant’s household at the time the crime or act listed in subdivision (a) occurred who has a relationship with the tenant that is substantially similar to that of a family member.
(4) (2)  “Qualified third party”  party,” as used in this section,  means a health practitioner, domestic violence counselor, as defined in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code, a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, or a human trafficking caseworker, as defined in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code.
(5) (3)  “Victim of violent crime advocate” means a person who is employed, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of violent crimes for an agency or organization that has a documented record of providing services to victims of violent crime or provides those services under the auspices or supervision of a court or a law enforcement or prosecution agency. “Health practitioner,” as used in this section, means a physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, registered nurse, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional clinical counselor. 
(i) (h)  (1) A landlord shall not disclose any information provided by a tenant under this section to a third party unless the disclosure satisfies any  one or more  of the following:
(A) The tenant consents in writing to the disclosure.
(B) The disclosure is required by law or order of the court.
(2) A landlord’s communication to a qualified third party who provides documentation under paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) to verify the contents of that documentation is not disclosure for purposes of this subdivision.  
(j) An owner or an owner’s agent shall not refuse to rent a dwelling unit to an otherwise qualified prospective tenant or refuse to continue to rent to an existing tenant solely on the basis that the tenant has previously exercised the tenant’s rights under this section or has previously terminated a tenancy because of the circumstances described in subdivision (a).
(k) A landlord or agent of a landlord who violates this section shall be liable to the tenant in a civil action for both of the following:
(1) The actual damages sustained by the tenant.
(2) (A) Statutory damages of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) and not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(B) (i)  Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a landlord or agent of a landlord who violates this section shall not be liable for statutory damages if the tenant provided documentation of the crime or act to the landlord or the agent of the landlord pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) only. This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date. 
(l) The remedies provided by this section shall be in addition to any other remedy provided by law.

SEC. 2.

 Section 1946.7 is added to the Civil Code, to read:

1946.7.
 (a) A tenant may notify the landlord that he or she or a household member was a victim of an act that constitutes an act of domestic violence as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 261.5, 262, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code, stalking as defined in Section 1708.7, human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult as defined in Section 15610.07 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and that the tenant intends to terminate the tenancy.
(b) A notice to terminate a tenancy under this section shall be in writing, with one of the following attached to the notice:
(1) A copy of a temporary restraining order, emergency protective order, or protective order lawfully issued pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 6240) or Part 4 (commencing with Section 6300) of Division 10 of the Family Code, Section 136.2 of the Penal Code, Section 527.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or Section 213.5 or 15657.03 of the Welfare and Institutions Code that protects the tenant or household member from further domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult.
(2) A copy of a written report by a peace officer employed by a state or local law enforcement agency acting in his or her official capacity stating that the tenant or household member has filed a report alleging that he or she or the household member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult.
(c) The notice to terminate the tenancy shall be given within 180 days of the date that any order described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) was issued, within 180 days of the date that any written report described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) was made, or within the time period described in Section 1946.
(d) If notice to terminate the tenancy is provided to the landlord under this section, the tenant shall be responsible for payment of rent for 30 days following the giving of the notice, or within the appropriate period as described in Section 1946, and thereafter shall be released from any rent payment obligation under the rental agreement without penalty. Existing law governing the security deposit shall apply.
(e) If within the 30 days following the giving of the notice under this section the tenant quits the premises and the premises are rented to another party, the rent due on the premises for that 30-day period shall be prorated. Existing law governing the security deposit shall apply.
(f) Nothing in this section relieves a tenant, other than the tenant who is, or who has a household member who is, a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult and members of that tenant’s household, from their obligations under the rental agreement.
(g) “Household member” as used in this section means a member of the tenant’s family who lives in the same household as the tenant.
(h) A landlord shall not disclose any information provided by a tenant under this section to a third party unless the disclosure satisfies any one of the following:
(1) The tenant consents in writing to the disclosure.
(2) The disclosure is required by law or order of the court.
(i) This section shall be operative January 1, 2016.

SEC. 3.

 Section 1161.3 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:

1161.3.
 (a) For purposes of this section:
(1) (a)  “Abuse or violence” means  Except as provided in subdivision (b), a landlord shall not terminate a tenancy or fail to renew a tenancy based upon an act or acts against a tenant or a tenant’s household member that constitute  domestic violence as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, sexual assault as defined in Section 1219, stalking as defined in Section 1708.7 of the Civil Code or Section 646.9 of the Penal Code, human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code, or  abuse of an elder or a dependent adult as defined in Section 15610.07 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or any act described in paragraphs (6) to (8), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 1946.7 of the Civil Code. if both of the following apply: 
(2) (1)  “Documentation evidencing abuse or violence against the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or the tenant’s household member” means any of  The act or acts of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult have been documented by one of  the following:
(A) A temporary restraining order, emergency protective order, or protective order lawfully issued within the last 180 days pursuant to Section 527.6, Part 3 (commencing with Section 6240), Part 4 (commencing with Section 6300), or Part 5 (commencing with Section 6400) of Division 10 of the Family Code, Section 136.2 of the Penal Code, or Section 213.5 or 15657.03 of the Welfare and Institutions Code that protects the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or the tenant’s  tenant or  household member from abuse or violence. domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult. 
(B) A copy of a written report, written within the last 180 days, by a peace officer employed by a state or local law enforcement agency acting in the officer’s  his or her  official capacity, stating that the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or the tenant’s  tenant or  household member has filed a report alleging that they are  he or she or the household member is  a victim of abuse or violence. domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult. 
(C) (i) Documentation from a qualified third party based on information received by that third party while acting in their professional capacity to indicate that the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or the tenant’s household member is seeking assistance for physical or mental injuries or abuse resulting from an act of abuse or violence, which shall contain, in substantially the same form, the following:
Tenant Statement and Qualified Third Party Statement
under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.3
Part I.Statement By Tenant
 
I, [insert name of tenant], state as follows:
 
I, my immediate family member, or a member of my household, have been a victim of:
[insert one or more of the following: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, a crime that caused bodily injury or death, a crime that included the exhibition, drawing, brandishing, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapon or instrument, or a crime that included the use or threat of force against the victim.]
 
The most recent incident(s) happened on or about:
[insert date or dates.]
 
The incident(s) was/were committed by the following person(s), with these physical description(s), if known and safe to provide:
[if known and safe to provide, insert name(s) and physical description(s).]
(signature of tenant)(date) 
Part II.Qualified Third Party Statement
I, [insert name of qualified third party], state as follows:
 
My business address and phone number are:
[insert business address and phone number.]
Check and complete one of the following:
____I meet the requirements for a sexual assault counselor provided in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code and I am either engaged in an office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center described in that section or employed by an organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code.
____I meet the requirements for a domestic violence counselor provided in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code and I am employed, whether financially compensated or not, by a domestic violence victim service organization, as defined in that section.
____I meet the requirements for a human trafficking caseworker provided in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code and I am employed, whether financially compensated or not, by an organization that provides programs specified in Section 18294 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code.
____I meet the definition of “victim of violent crime advocate” provided in Section 1946.7 of the Civil Code and I am employed, whether financially compensated or not, by an agency or organization that has a documented record of providing services to victims of violent crime or provides those services under the auspices or supervision of a court or a law enforcement or prosecution agency.
____I am licensed by the State of California as a:
[insert one of the following: physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, registered nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional clinical counselor.] and I am licensed by, and my license number is:
[insert name of state licensing entity and license number.]
The person who signed the Statement By Tenant above stated to me that they, a member of their immediate family, or a member of their household is a victim of:
[insert one or more of the following: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, a crime that caused bodily injury or death, a crime that included the exhibition, drawing, brandishing, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapon or instrument, or a crime that included the use or threat of force against the victim.]
The person further stated to me the incident(s) occurred on or about the date(s) stated above.
(signature of qualified third party)(date)
(ii) The documentation may be signed by a person who meets the requirements for a sexual assault counselor, domestic violence counselor, a human trafficking caseworker, or a victim of violent crime advocate only if the documentation displays the letterhead of the office, hospital, institution, center, or organization, as appropriate, that engages or employs, whether financially compensated or not, this counselor, caseworker, or advocate.
(D) Any other form of documentation or evidence that reasonably verifies that the abuse or violence occurred.
(3) “Health practitioner” means a physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, registered nurse, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional clinical counselor.
(4) “Immediate family member” has the same meaning as defined in Section 1946.7 of the Civil Code.
(5) “Perpetrator of abuse or violence” means any of the following:
(A) The person against whom an order described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) has been issued.
(B) The person who was named or referred to as causing the abuse or violence in the report described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(C) The person who was named or referred to as causing the abuse or violence in the documentation described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(D) The person who was named or referred to as causing the abuse or violence in the documentation described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(6) “Qualified third party” means a health practitioner, domestic violence counselor, as defined in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code, a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, a human trafficking caseworker, as defined in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code, or a victim of violent crime advocate.
(7) “Tenant” means tenant, subtenant, lessee, or sublessee.
(8) “Tenant in residence” means a tenant who is currently residing in the unit and has full physical and legal access to the unit.
(9) “Victim of violent crime advocate” has the same meaning as defined in Section 1946.7 of the Civil Code.
(b) (1) A landlord shall not terminate a tenancy or fail to renew a tenancy based on an act of abuse or violence against a tenant, a tenant’s immediate family member, or a tenant’s household member if the landlord has received documentation evidencing abuse or violence against the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or the tenant’s household member.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a landlord may terminate a tenancy or fail to renew a tenancy based on an act of abuse or violence against a tenant, a tenant’s immediate family member, or a tenant’s household member even after receiving documentation of abuse or violence against the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or the tenant’s household member if either of the following apply:
(A) (2)  The perpetrator of abuse or violence is a tenant in residence  person against whom the protection order has been issued or who was named in the police report of the act or acts of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or dependent adult is not a tenant  of the same dwelling unit as the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member,  tenant  or household member.
(B) (b)  Both of the  A landlord may terminate or decline to renew a tenancy after the tenant has availed himself or herself of the protections afforded by subdivision (a) if both of the  following apply:
(1) Either of the following:
(A) The tenant allows the person against whom the protection order has been issued or who was named in the police report of the act or acts of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or a dependent adult to visit the property.
(i) (B)  The perpetrator of abuse or violence’s words or actions have threatened the physical safety of landlord reasonably believes that the presence of the person against whom the protection order has been issued or who was named in the police report of the act or acts of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or dependent adult poses a physical threat to  other tenants, guests, invitees, or licensees. licensees, or to a tenant’s right to quiet possession pursuant to Section 1927 of the Civil Code. 
(ii) (2)  After expiration of a three-day notice requiring the tenant not to voluntarily permit or consent to the presence of the perpetrator of abuse or violence on the premises, the tenant continues to do so. The landlord previously gave at least three days’ notice to the tenant to correct a violation of paragraph (1). 
(c) Notwithstanding any provision in a the  lease to the contrary, a the  landlord shall not be liable to any other tenants for any action that arises due to the landlord’s compliance with this section.
(d) A defendant in an unlawful detainer action arising from a landlord’s termination of a tenancy or failure to renew a tenancy that is based on an act of abuse or violence against a tenant, a tenant’s immediate family member, or a tenant’s household member may raise an affirmative defense as follows:
(1) If the perpetrator of the abuse or violence is not a tenant in residence of the same dwelling unit as the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or household member, then the defendant shall have a complete defense as to that cause of action, unless each clause of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) applies.
(2) If the perpetrator of the abuse or violence is a tenant in residence of the same dwelling unit as the tenant, the tenant’s immediate family member, or household member, the court shall proceed in accordance with Section 1174.27.
(e) (1) A landlord shall not disclose any information provided by a tenant under this section to a third party unless either of the following is true:
(A) The tenant has consented in writing to the disclosure.
(B) The disclosure is required by law or court order.
(2) (d)  A landlord’s communication with the qualified third party who provides documentation in order to verify the contents of that documentation is not a disclosure for purposes of this subdivision. For the purposes of this section, “tenant” means tenant, subtenant, lessee, or sublessee. 
(f) (e)  The Judicial Council shall review its forms  shall, on or before July 1, 2014, develop a new form or revise an existing form  that may be used by a party to assert in the responsive pleading the grounds set forth in this section as an affirmative defense to an unlawful detainer action and, by January 1, 2025, make any changes to those forms that the Judicial Council deems necessary to conform them to this section. action.