Bill
Bill > S3859
NJ S3859
NJ S3859Specifies inapplicability of "Fair Chance in Housing Act" to county and municipal landlords.
summary
Introduced
11/18/2024
11/18/2024
In Committee
11/18/2024
11/18/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would amend the "Fair Chance in Housing Act," P.L.2021, c.110 (C.46:8-52 et seq.), to clarify that a county or municipality that directly rents one or more residential units to one or more tenants is not a housing provider, as defined in that act. During 2021, the Legislature enacted the "Fair Chance in Housing Act" for the purpose of establishing certain housing rights for persons with criminal records. That enactment was designed to expand opportunities for people with criminal records to find safe, affordable housing and reduce recidivism. Since enactment of the "Fair Chance in Housing Act," it has been disputed whether the act's provisions apply to a county or municipal government that directly rent one or more residential units to one or more tenants. This bill resolves those disputes by specifically providing that the "Fair Chance in Housing Act" does not apply to a county or municipal or county government that directly rents one or more residential units to one or more tenants.
AI Summary
This bill amends the "Fair Chance in Housing Act" to clarify that county and municipal governments are exempt from the law's requirements when they directly rent residential units. Specifically, the bill modifies the definitions of "housing provider" and "rental dwelling unit" to exclude counties and municipalities that rent out their own residential properties. The original Fair Chance in Housing Act, passed in 2021, was designed to help people with criminal records find housing by limiting how landlords can use criminal history in rental decisions. This bill resolves previous uncertainties about whether the law applies to government-owned rental properties by explicitly stating that county and municipal governments are not considered "housing providers" under the act when they rent out their own residential units. The changes mean that these government entities can continue to use criminal background checks in their tenant selection process without being bound by the restrictions of the original Fair Chance in Housing Act.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 11/18/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3859 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3859_I1.HTM |
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