House Bill 2235, also known as the "Tennessee Fair Chance Housing Act," aims to amend existing laws regarding housing discrimination based on criminal history. The bill introduces several definitions related to criminal history, including "conviction," "criminal history," "felony conviction," and "housing provider." It prohibits housing providers from discriminating against individuals solely based on their criminal history, including refusing to rent or lease properties, making discriminatory statements, or including irrelevant questions on housing applications. The bill also establishes guidelines for when a housing provider can consider criminal convictions, specifying look-back periods of three years for misdemeanors and ten years for felonies, while allowing for the consideration of sex offense convictions without regard to these periods if an individualized assessment is conducted.

Additionally, the bill mandates that housing providers conduct individualized assessments before denying housing based on criminal history, ensuring that any denial is justified by a direct relationship between the conviction and the safety of other residents. It requires housing providers to notify applicants in writing if their application is denied due to criminal history, detailing the specific convictions considered and allowing applicants to submit additional information. The Department of Correction is tasked with developing an education and outreach program to inform individuals with criminal convictions of their rights under this act. The bill also allows for enforcement through the commission, which can investigate complaints and initiate actions against housing providers who violate these provisions.