The proposed bill, titled the "Fair Chance in Housing Background Checks Act," aims to regulate how housing providers utilize criminal history in rental decisions. It establishes that landlords cannot require applicants to complete any housing application that includes inquiries regarding an applicant's criminal record prior to the provision of a conditional offer. After a conditional offer is made, housing providers may only consider certain criminal records that occurred within the last ten years, specifically allowing only serious offenses such as murder, manslaughter, and sexual assault, among others. The bill also prohibits housing providers from making any oral or written inquiries regarding an applicant's criminal record before a conditional offer is issued.

Additionally, the bill restricts housing providers from evaluating applicants based on arrests or charges that have not resulted in a conviction, expunged convictions, juvenile adjudications, and other specified records. If a housing provider withdraws a conditional offer based on an applicant's criminal record, they must provide written notification detailing the reasons for the withdrawal and inform the applicant of their right to file a complaint with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights.

The act also prohibits housing providers from publishing discriminatory advertisements that explicitly state they will not consider applicants with criminal records, except for specific criminal activities outlined in the legislation. Civil penalties for violations of the act are established, with fines of $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for a second violation, and $10,000 for subsequent violations. The act is designed to promote fair housing practices and will take effect upon passage.