ME LD1036

Adds "status as a recipient of federal, state or local public assistance" as a protected class under Maine's unlawful housing discrimination law, alongside existing protections for race, sex, religion, disability, and familial status

Defines public assistance status as having federal, state, or local government benefits as a source of income, including medical assistance and housing subsidies such as Section 8 vouchers

Prohibits landlords, property managers, and real estate agents from refusing to rent, imposing different lease terms, or making inquiries about a prospective tenant's public assistance status

Bars lenders from discriminating in mortgage or housing loan decisions based on an applicant's receipt of public assistance

Removes a previous standalone provision specifically addressing public assistance discrimination in favor of integrating these protections throughout the broader housing discrimination statute