Bill > LD521

This bill amends the Maine Human Rights Act to expand housing discrimination protections by adding military status, veteran status, and source of income as protected categories. The bill defines "military status" as an individual's membership in the United States Armed Forces or state military forces, and "veteran status" as a former member of these forces. "Source of income" is comprehensively defined to include various types of financial support, such as housing vouchers, federal and state public assistance benefits (like Social Security and supplemental security income), medical assistance, court-ordered income like child support, payments from trusts or relatives, and any other lawful income source including savings and investments. The legislation prohibits discrimination in housing-related activities, including selling, renting, showing, advertising, and providing financial assistance, based on these new protected categories. Specifically, it prevents landlords, real estate agents, and financial institutions from refusing services, imposing different terms, or making discriminatory inquiries about an individual's military status, veteran status, or source of income. The bill aims to ensure that individuals have equal opportunities to secure housing regardless of their income sources or military background, and it explicitly allows service providers to continue offering assistance to individuals receiving housing support.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=521&snum=132