2020 -- S 2485

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LC004437

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Metts, and Quezada

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-25-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-25 entitled "City

Housing Authorities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-25-18. Tenant selection.

     (a) In the operation or management of housing projects, the authority shall at all times

observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenant selections: (1) it may rent or lease

the dwelling accommodations of housing projects only to persons who lack the amount of income

necessary (as determined by the housing authority undertaking the project) to enable them,

without financial assistance, to live in decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding;

and (2) it may rent or lease to a tenant dwelling accommodations only at rentals within the

financial reach of that person; provided, that an authority may agree to conditions as to tenant

eligibility or preference required by the federal government pursuant to federal law in any

contract for financial assistance with the authority.

     (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, in the operation or management

of housing projects, the authority shall not discriminate or deny equal opportunity in obtaining

housing based upon a criminal conviction, criminal history or history of arrests.

     (c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to any criminal

conviction for a sexual assault in violation of chapter 37 of title 11 or any offense requiring

registration pursuant to § 11-37.1-3.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY

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     This act would prohibit discrimination against criminally convicted persons in public

housing project assignments. Exception is made for sexual assault violations and offenses that

require registration pursuant to the provisions of the sexual offender registration and community

notification chapter.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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