DE HB196

Adds "source of income" as a protected class under Delaware's Fair Housing Act (Title 6) and Landlord Tenant Code (Title 25), prohibiting discrimination in housing based on income sources including employment, government/private assistance programs, and annuities or child support.

Allows landlords and lenders to consider sufficiency of income and credit ratings when evaluating tenants or buyers, provided such standards are applied uniformly without regard to the type or source of income.

Exempts housing authority employees and agents from the source of income protections when their employer's conflict of interest policies prohibit them from renting to persons receiving housing assistance, to prevent conflicts of interest.

Extends source of income protections to residential real estate transactions, brokerage services, advertising, and intimidation provisions, making discrimination based on income source unlawful across housing-related activities.

Penalties for violations remain consistent with existing fair housing law, including fines up to $2,500 and imprisonment up to 1 year, with enhanced penalties for bodily injury or death resulting from intimidation or interference.