Bill > S860

This bill aims to prohibit discriminatory effects in housing and community development. It defines key terms such as "discriminatory effect," "disparate impact," and "legally sufficient justification." The bill places the burden of proof on the complainant to demonstrate that a challenged housing, community development, lending, or insurance decision, program, policy, or practice has caused or will predictably cause a disparate impact on protected groups. If the complainant establishes this, the burden then shifts to the respondent to prove that the challenged action meets the criteria for a legally sufficient justification. The bill also clarifies that a person can pursue a claim based on a decision, program, policy, or practice that has a disparate impact on a group, even if the person is not a member of the impacted group.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S860