HI HB1646

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 368F-4 to allow courts to award attorneys' fees to prevailing parties in rental discrimination cases based on source of income

Current law prohibits courts from awarding attorneys' fees in source-of-income discrimination lawsuits, which disincentivizes attorneys from taking such cases

Source-of-income discrimination, including refusal to accept housing choice vouchers, disproportionately affects renters of color, renters with disabilities, elderly renters, and women

The federal Fair Housing Act does not protect tenants from discrimination based on source of income, though Hawaii state law (Chapter 368F) does provide some protections