The bill amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to enhance protections for individuals with disabilities, particularly those requiring assistance animals. It introduces key definitions, including "assistance animal," which is defined as an animal that mitigates the effects of a physical or mental disability, and "service animal," which refers to dogs specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities in performing independent living tasks. The bill clarifies the term "housing status" by removing the phrase "having or."

Additionally, the bill expands the definition of discrimination to include the issuance of discriminatory notices or statements related to the sale, rental, or leasing of housing. It emphasizes the importance of lawful sources of income, including public assistance, and prohibits owners and their agents from making discriminatory inquiries based on protected characteristics.

The bill empowers the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights to accept, investigate, and decide cases alleging discrimination based on housing status. It also mandates that owners make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services to allow individuals with disabilities who have service or assistance animals full and equal access to housing accommodations, without requiring them to pay pet fees or deposits.

Furthermore, the bill removes a provision that previously prohibited public discussion of fair housing cases, promoting greater transparency. The proposed changes aim to strengthen fair housing protections and ensure that individuals are not discriminated against due to their housing status or the presence of assistance animals. The act will take effect upon passage.