The bill amends the Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on a housing applicant's source of income, which encompasses lawful and verifiable sources such as employment income, social security benefits, and government assistance. It introduces new definitions, including "source of income," "invalid screening process," and "housing applicant," to clarify unlawful discriminatory practices in housing. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce these provisions, and the bill modifies existing language regarding unlawful discriminatory practices, emphasizing that using an invalid screening process to assess an applicant's income is discriminatory.

Additionally, the bill enhances protections against discrimination in financial assistance and housing by prohibiting discrimination based on various characteristics, including race, religion, and source of income. It outlines the complaint process for individuals facing discrimination, granting the Attorney General authority to investigate and pursue actions against violators, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for willful violations. The bill also establishes procedures for handling complaints, including the option for complainants to seek a trial de novo in district court. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 28-1-2, 28-1-4, 28-1-7, 28-1-7.1, 28-1-10