Raised Bill No. 6948 seeks to reform housing regulations concerning the impact of criminal records on rental applications, aiming to reduce discrimination and promote equitable access to housing for individuals with criminal histories. Effective October 1, 2025, the bill introduces new definitions such as "applicant," "background screening company," and "housing provider," while repealing existing definitions. A key provision prohibits housing providers from requiring applicants to disclose their criminal records before a conditional offer is made, thereby preventing discrimination at the initial application stage. Additionally, housing providers must disclose if criminal history is part of their eligibility criteria before accepting application fees and can only consider serious convictions after a conditional offer is made.

The bill also mandates that housing providers evaluate the nature and severity of offenses, the applicant's age at the time of the offense, the time elapsed since the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation before withdrawing a conditional offer. It requires written records of decision-making for three years and prohibits discrimination based on criminal conviction status, with exceptions for federally subsidized housing. Furthermore, the bill outlines new complaint procedures, allows for the recovery of attorney's fees for discrimination claims, and establishes a one-year statute of limitations for such actions. Overall, Raised Bill No. 6948 aims to create a fairer housing application process while balancing the rights of individuals with criminal records and the interests of housing providers.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-45a