Bill > H1989

This bill amends Chapter 151B to expand protections against discrimination in housing by explicitly including home sales alongside rental accommodations in existing anti-discrimination language. Specifically, the bill makes three key changes to Section 4 of the chapter: first, it adds "home sales" to the list of areas covered by anti-discrimination provisions; second, it extends protections to include "prospective homebuyers" alongside existing language about tenants; and third, it adds "downpayment assistance" to the list of services and supports that cannot be discriminatorily provided or withheld. These modifications appear designed to strengthen legal safeguards against housing discrimination by broadening the scope of protected activities and individuals, ensuring that potential homebuyers are protected from unfair treatment based on characteristics like race, gender, or other protected status when seeking to purchase a home or access home-buying assistance.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1989