HB 5242 Summary

• Prohibits housing providers from denying rental applications based solely on criminal conviction status, except for felony convictions within specific timeframes: 3 years before application (if incarceration was less than 3 years) or 1 year after release (if incarceration was 3 or more years).

• Requires housing providers to consider mitigating factors before denying applications, including nature and severity of crime, rehabilitation evidence, employment status, time elapsed since conviction, and whether the offense relates to the tenancy.

• Mandates housing providers give applicants at least 5 business days written notice and opportunity to respond with mitigating information before denial based on criminal history.

• Prohibits housing providers from inquiring about arrests, charges, or convictions on initial rental applications unless required by federal law, and bars discrimination in rental terms or advertisements based on criminal conviction status.

• Exempts public housing applicants with methamphetamine manufacturing convictions on federally assisted housing premises and those subject to lifetime sex offender registration; exempts single-family rentals where owner occupies part of dwelling and small properties with 4 or fewer units where owner occupies one unit.