summary
Introduced
03/04/2025
03/04/2025
In Committee
03/04/2025
03/04/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill makes it a form of housing discrimination under the Maine Human Rights Act to refuse to rent or negotiate for the rental of a housing accommodation because of a person's source of money or other income. The bill also establishes, as a form of housing discrimination, assessing a person's ability to pay the entire rental amount when a portion of the rent is subsidized through federal, state or local housing assistance. In addition to any civil remedies available under the fair housing laws, a person aggrieved by a violation of these provisions is entitled to private remedies as an unfair trade practice as well as a monetary penalty of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater. These provisions take effect January 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill strengthens housing discrimination protections in Maine by expanding existing laws to prohibit discrimination based on an individual's source of income and financial assessment methods. Specifically, beginning January 1, 2026, the bill makes it illegal for housing providers to refuse to rent to or negotiate with someone because of their source of income, as long as the income is legally obtained and verifiable. This includes income from public assistance programs, rental vouchers, nongovernmental organizations, Social Security, and Railroad Retirement benefits. The bill also prevents landlords from assessing a tenant's financial ability to pay rent solely based on the subsidized portion of their rent, requiring assessments to only consider the non-subsidized portion. Violations of these new provisions can result in civil actions and monetary penalties of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater. The law does not apply to owners of fewer than four rental residential units, providing an exemption for smaller-scale property owners. These changes aim to protect vulnerable populations from housing discrimination and ensure more equitable access to housing.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (10)
Cheryl Golek (D)*,
Rick Bennett (I),
Flavia DeBrito (D),
Traci Gere (D),
Marc Malon (D),
Nina Milliken (D),
Ambureen Rana (D),
Amy Roeder (D),
Rachel Talbot Ross (D),
Yusuf Yusuf (D),
Last Action
Voted: Divided Report (on 01/06/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=847&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: Text | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN084701.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0533&item=1&snum=132 |
Loading...