This bill amends the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to enhance civil rights protections in housing by prohibiting discrimination based on "lawful source of income," which encompasses various forms of public assistance such as social security, child support, and housing assistance. It defines "lawful source of income" and integrates this term into existing anti-discrimination provisions related to housing practices. The Nebraska Fair Housing Act will be administered by the Equal Opportunity Commission, with county attorneys also granted the authority to enforce these new provisions. Key amendments include adding "lawful source of income" to the list of protected categories against discrimination in housing transactions, advertising, and real estate organization memberships, while also clarifying that compliance with public assistance requirements cannot be a basis for housing refusal.

Furthermore, the bill allows the commission to enter into agreements with testing organizations to support investigative activities, but it prohibits compensation based on the outcomes of conciliations, settlements, or reasonable cause determinations. Additionally, it repeals several original sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, specifically sections 20-139, 20-301, 20-303, 20-317, 20-318, 20-320, 20-321, 20-322, and 20-325, indicating a significant update to the legal framework governing the commission's operations and its interactions with testing organizations. Overall, the bill aims to foster a more inclusive housing environment by broadening protections against discrimination.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-139, 20-301, 20-303, 20-317, 20-318, 20-320, 20-321, 20-322, 20-325