Raised Bill No. 6948 seeks to reform housing regulations concerning the impact of criminal records on rental applications, aiming to reduce discrimination against individuals with such records. Effective October 1, 2025, the bill introduces new definitions for terms like "applicant," "housing provider," and "conviction," while repealing existing definitions. It prohibits housing providers from requiring applicants to disclose their criminal history before a conditional offer is made and mandates that they disclose whether criminal history is part of their eligibility criteria before accepting application fees. After a conditional offer, only certain serious convictions can be considered without time limitations, and housing providers must evaluate the nature of the offense, the applicant's age at the time, the elapsed time since the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation before rescinding an offer.

Additionally, the bill enhances the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws by requiring the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) to create model disclosure statements and provide training for housing providers. It also grants immunity to landlords from civil liability for renting to individuals with criminal records, while still holding them accountable for tenant conduct. The bill revises complaint processes related to discriminatory practices, allowing individuals to file complaints without notarization and establishing a case assessment review process. It also introduces provisions for the recovery of attorney's fees for complainants in discrimination cases and updates enforcement procedures for the CHRO. Overall, the bill aims to create a fairer housing landscape for individuals with criminal histories while ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-45a