Bill > S245

This bill aims to strengthen housing discrimination prevention and enforcement in the Commonwealth by making several key changes to existing laws. The bill modifies the board of registration for real estate brokers and salesmen to include a member with expertise in fair housing and civil rights or a tenant from a public rental voucher program. It requires the board to publish quarterly reports detailing newly licensed members, complaints filed against licensed members, and disciplinary actions, including any findings of discrimination. The bill expands the agencies that can investigate housing discrimination complaints to include federally certified fair housing agencies. It also increases the timeframe for investigating complaints from 90 to 180 days and mandates license suspension for real estate professionals found to have violated fair housing laws. Additionally, the bill requires real estate salesman license applicants to complete 40 hours of real estate courses, including at least four hours on fair housing law or diversity and inclusion. Renewal of real estate licenses now requires 10-16 hours of continued education, with specific requirements including six hours on compliance-related subjects and four hours on fair housing law or diversity and inclusion. These changes aim to enhance transparency, education, and accountability in preventing housing discrimination.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S245