Bill > HB06948

This bill aims to limit how housing providers can use criminal records when evaluating potential tenants, promoting fair housing opportunities for individuals with past criminal convictions. The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework that restricts housing providers from inquiring about criminal history before making a conditional offer of housing and sets specific guidelines for how criminal records can be considered. Under the bill, housing providers can only consider certain serious felony convictions without time limitations, such as murder, human trafficking, and sexually violent offenses. For other felonies, the bill creates time-based restrictions that depend on the severity of the crime and the applicant's age at the time of the offense. For example, felonies carrying a maximum imprisonment term over 20 years can only be considered if the release occurred within five years and the applicant was over 24 when the offense was committed. The bill requires housing providers to provide written notice before withdrawing a conditional offer, give applicants an opportunity to provide mitigating evidence about their criminal history, and consider factors like rehabilitation and good conduct. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities develop training, model forms, and guidance to help housing providers implement these requirements, with the overall goal of reducing barriers to housing for individuals with criminal records and promoting successful reentry into society.

Housing and Urban Affairs

Housing Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06948&which_year=2025