The bill amends Section 34-37-4 of the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to enhance protections against unlawful housing practices by prohibiting discrimination based on various personal characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, lawful source of income, military status, disability, age, familial status, and victim status related to domestic abuse. It clarifies that housing advertisements must not indicate any preference or discrimination based on these characteristics.

Significant changes include new definitions and provisions regarding service animals and emotional support animals. The bill specifies that emotional support animals can include dogs and cats and details the conditions under which landlords may deny requests for such animals. A tenant with a disability or disability-related need for an emotional support animal may request and be approved by a landlord to keep an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation in housing. Landlords may request supporting documentation if the tenant's need for the emotional support animal is not readily apparent.

The bill outlines that landlords are not required to rent to individuals whose tenancy poses a direct threat to others or substantial property damage. It also prohibits discrimination against individuals who oppose unlawful housing practices or participate in related investigations, while maintaining landlords' rights to proceed with eviction actions against non-compliant tenants. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5504: 34-37-4