WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 209

AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING ACT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 8 co-sponsors

Rhode Island bill restricts landlords from automatically denying housing to applicants with criminal records, requiring individualized assessment of conviction relevance instead.

05/06/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 209

Legislative bill overview

SB 209, Rhode Island's Fair Chance in Housing Act, restricts landlords' ability to deny housing based solely on criminal history. The bill requires landlords to conduct individualized assessments of applicants with criminal records rather than applying blanket bans, and establishes standards for how criminal history can factor into housing decisions.

Why is this important

Criminal record discrimination in housing significantly limits employment and stability opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, perpetuating recidivism cycles. This legislation directly impacts Rhode Island's rental market practices and affects tens of thousands of people with conviction histories seeking housing—a critical social determinant of successful reentry.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord liability concerns: Property owners may worry about increased legal exposure if tenants with certain criminal histories cause harm, despite individualized assessment requirements
  • Implementation burden: Landlords must develop new screening protocols and conduct case-by-case evaluations, increasing administrative costs and complexity
  • Balance with community safety: Debate over whether restrictions on using criminal history (particularly for violent or drug-related offenses) adequately protect other tenants and neighborhoods
  • Definition specificity: The bill's criteria for what convictions are relevant, how recent they must be, and what constitutes legitimate safety concerns may be unclear

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.