HB 6431 Summary

• Prohibits housing providers from denying rental applications based solely on criminal records, except for misdemeanors within 3 years or felonies within 7 years of application.

• Requires housing providers to consider nature/severity of crime, rehabilitation evidence, time elapsed, and relationship to tenancy before denying applications, and provide written notice with 5 business days for applicant response.

• Bans housing discrimination based on criminal conviction status, including inquiries about prior arrests or charges on initial rental applications unless required by federal law.

• Excludes applicants with methamphetamine manufacturing convictions on federally assisted housing and those subject to lifetime sex offender registration requirements.

• Applies to private housing but exempts single-family dwellings and buildings with 4 or fewer units where owner occupies one unit; does not apply to public housing authorities under certain federal regulations.