Senate Bill No. 428 Summary

• Adds "housing status" as a protected class under Missouri's fair housing laws, prohibiting discrimination in housing sales, rentals, financing, and services based on homelessness or lack of permanent residence

• Creates a new "Homeless Bill of Rights" (Section 213.048) guaranteeing homeless persons equal rights including freedom to use public spaces, equal treatment by state and municipal agencies, non-discrimination in employment and medical care, voting rights, and privacy protections for shelter records

• Expands hate crime statutes to include crimes motivated by the victim's housing status, making such offenses class C or D felonies depending on the underlying crime

• Defines "housing status" to include living in streets, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, homeless shelters, motels, hotels, or transitional housing lacking fixed, regular, and adequate residence

• Allows courts to award injunctive relief, actual damages, and attorney's fees in civil actions alleging violations of the Homeless Bill of Rights