BILL NUMBER: S8452
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, the real property law, the general
business law and the civil rights law, in relation to enacting the
"regulating equality in neighborhood tenancy" act to prohibit discrimi-
nation in housing based on credit scores
 
PURPOSE:
To amend the executive law, the real property law, the general business
law and the civil rights law, in relation to enacting the "Regulating
Equality in Neighborhood Tenancy (RENT) act to prohibit discrimination
in housing based on credit scores.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Title of bill
Section 2. Subdivision 2 of section 291 of the executive law, as amended
by chapter 8 of the laws of 2019, is amended
Section 3. Paragraphs (a) (b) (c) and (c-1) of subdivision 2-a of
section 296 of the executive law, as separately amended by chapters 202
and 748 of the laws of 2022, are amended
Section 4. Subdivision 3-b of section 296 of the executive law, as sepa-
rately amended by the chapters of 202 and 748 of the laws of 2022, is
amended
Section 5. Subdivision 5 of section 296 of the executive law, as sepa-
rately amended by chapters 202 and 748 of the laws of 2022, is amended
Section 6. the real property law is amended by adding a new section
227-g
Section 7. Section 233 of the real property law is amended by adding a
new subdivision z
Section 8. the general business law is amended by adding a new section
397-c
Section 9. Section 18-c of the civil rights law, as added by chapter 287
of the laws of 1950, is amended
Section 10. Subdivision 17 of section 295 of the executive law, is added
by chapter 701 of the laws of 2021, is amended
Section 11. This act shall take effect immediately
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill arises from the critical necessity to address disparities in
the rental housing market that have historically marginalized certain
groups based on their credit scores. This bill seeks to create a more
equitable environment for all prospective tenants, ensuring that
approvals for renting out property are not solely based on someone's
credit score.
Although the creation of credit scores was to assess an individual's
credit worthiness, these scores have oftentimes perpetuated systemic
discrimination. Many individuals from historically marginalized communi-
ties of low-income brackets typically have lower credit scores. This is
largely due to factors such as discriminatory lending practices, econom-
ic disparities, and unequal access to financial literacy resources. As a
result, individuals with good rental histories, stable employment, and
responsible financial behaviors may be unjustly denied housing opportu-
nities, based on solely their credit score.
The proposed legislation enhances fairness in housing by encouraging a
more inclusive evaluation approach, protecting tenants' rights and
addressing systemic inequities related to credit scores in the rental
market.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Unknown
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, provided that section 10 of this
act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become
law.

Statutes affected:
S8452: 291 executive law, 291(2) executive law, 296 executive law, 296(3-b) executive law, 296(5) executive law, 233 real property law, 18-c civil rights law, 295 executive law, 295(17) executive law