The proposed bill amends the Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on a housing applicant's source of income, which includes lawful and verifiable monetary support such as employment income, social security benefits, and government assistance. It introduces the term "invalid screening process," defining it as any method that fails to consider all sources of income or miscalculates income requirements based on housing assistance. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to enforce these provisions against unlawful discriminatory practices in housing and updates relevant definitions within the Act to enhance protections for individuals seeking housing.

In addition to housing discrimination, the bill strengthens protections against discrimination in financial assistance and public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on characteristics such as race, religion, sex, and source of income. It outlines enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Attorney General to investigate complaints and initiate civil actions, and specifies procedures for handling complaints filed by aggrieved individuals. The bill also defines "urgent medical condition" and establishes a process 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