Bill > SB485

This bill requires landlords, when evaluating a tenant's or prospective tenant's income for housing qualifications, to consider all lawful sources of money, including wages, government assistance, gifts, and alimony, but specifically excludes federal housing assistance under Section 8. Violations of this provision are considered deceptive or unconscionable practices under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. Furthermore, for eviction cases governed by the residential landlord-tenant act, court records will be automatically sealed upon filing, preventing disclosure to third parties except for those directly involved in the case or the court itself, and these records will be expunged (removed) two years after a satisfied judgment, with exceptions for ongoing judgments or if the parties agree to keep them sealed. The bill also mandates mediation in these eviction cases unless the court determines it would not be helpful, and allows defendants to appear via video conference. It also amends existing laws to ensure eviction filings are sealed and to clarify that certain eviction actions are exempt from general sealing provisions in other statutes, while also repealing some existing sections.

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https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb485/