Senate Bill 2482 Summary

• Creates the "Mississippi Fair Housing Act" declaring that obtaining housing and real estate without discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status is a civil right.

• Prohibits real estate brokers, salespersons, and persons engaging in real estate transactions from refusing service, discriminating in terms or conditions, or making discriminatory statements or advertisements based on protected characteristics.

• Prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against applicants for financing or maintaining discriminatory application forms based on religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status.

• Voids discriminatory conditions, restrictions, or covenants on real property; prohibits blockbusting (making discriminatory statements about neighborhood composition to induce real estate transactions); and prohibits retaliation against persons opposing violations or participating in investigations.

• Allows persons alleging violations to bring civil actions for injunctive relief and damages including reasonable attorney's fees in circuit court; effective July 1, 2021.