The bill amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to include "housing status" as a protected category, thereby prohibiting discrimination based on an individual's housing situation, such as being homeless or living in a shelter. It also introduces the term "assistance animal" and broadens the definition to include any animal that mitigates the effects of a physical or mental disability as determined by health care providers, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are entitled to equal access to housing with their assistance animals without extra compensation, but are liable for any damages caused by the animals.

The bill outlines the procedures for the commission to address unlawful housing practices, emphasizing informal resolution methods before formal proceedings. It allows for the issuance of cease and desist orders, damages, and civil penalties if unlawful practices are found, and removes restrictions on the publicity of proceedings. The bill also grants complainants the right to sue in state court if the commission does not resolve the complaint within a certain timeframe and allows for punitive damages. Furthermore, it empowers the commission to seek injunctive relief in superior court and gives precedence to these proceedings over other civil matters. The bill takes effect upon passage and aims to ensure equal housing opportunities and protect against discrimination in housing-related transactions.