Maryland 2022 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB875 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3		EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4	4		[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5		-	Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6		-	Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7		-	amendment.
8	5		sb0875
9	6
10	7		SENATE BILL 875
11	8		D5, N1 2lr0347
12	9		CF HB 928
13		-	By: Senator Waldstreicher ~~Senators Waldstreicher and Lee~~
	10	+	By: Senator Waldstreicher
14	11		Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2022
15	12		Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
16		-	Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17		-	Senate action: Adopted
18		-	Read second time: March 4, 2022
19	13
20		-	~~CHAPTER ______~~
	14	+	A BILL ENTITLED
21	15
22	16		AN ACT concerning 1
23	17
24	18		Discrimination in Housing – Citizenship, Immigration Status, and National 2
25	19		Origin 3
26	20
27	21		FOR the purpose of stating the policy of the State to provide fair housing, regardless of 4
28	22		certain citizenship or immigration status; prohibiting certain discrimination related 5
29	23		to the sale or rental of a dwelling on the basis of citizenship or immigration status, 6
30	24		subject to certain exceptions; prohibiting certain inquiries and disclosures relating 7
31	25		to a person’s citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in connection with 8
32	26		the rental of a dwelling; and generally relating to discriminatory housing practices. 9
33	27
34	28		BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
35	29		Article – State Government 11
36	30		Section 20–701(a) and 20–1020(a) 12
37	31		Annotated Code of Maryland 13
38	32		(2021 Replacement Volume) 14
39	33
40	34		BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
41	35		Article – State Government 16
42	36		Section 20–701(c), 20–702, 20–705, 20–707, 20–901, 20–1020(e), and 20–1103 17
43	37		Annotated Code of Maryland 18
44	38		(2021 Replacement Volume) 19
45	39
46	40		BY adding to 20
47	41		Article – State Government 21
48		-	Section 20–701(a–1), (f–1), and (h–1) and 20–708.1 22 2 SENATE BILL 875
	42	+	Section 20–708.1 22
	43	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 23
	44	+	(2021 Replacement Volume) 24
	45	+
	46	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 25
	47	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 26
	48	+	2 SENATE BILL 875
49	49
50	50
51		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 1
52		-	(2021 Replacement Volume) 2
	51	+	Article – State Government 1
53	52
54		-	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 3
55		-	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 4
	53	+	20–701. 2
56	54
57		-	~~Article – State Government 5~~
	55	+	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
58	56
59		-	20–701. 6
	57	+	(c) “Discriminatory housing practice” means an act that is prohibited under § 4
	58	+	20–705, § 20–706, § 20–707, [or] § 20–708, OR § 20–708.1 of this subtitle. 5
60	59
61		-	~~(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated~~. 7
	60	+	20–702. 6
62	61
63		-	(A–1) “CITIZENSHIP” MEANS THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED CITIZENSHI P OF A 8
64		-	PERSON. 9
	62	+	(a) It is the policy of the State: 7
65	63
66		-	(c) “Discriminatory housing practice” means an act that is prohibited under § 10
67		-	20–705, § 20–706, § 20–707, [or] § 20–708, OR § 20–708.1 of this subtitle. 11
	64	+	(1) to provide for fair housing throughout the State to all, regardless of 8
	65	+	race, color, religion, sex, familial status, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national 9
	66	+	origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or source of income; 10
	67	+	and 11
68	68
69		-	(F–1) “IMMIGRATION STATUS ” MEANS THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED 12
70		-	IMMIGRATION STATUS O F A PERSON. 13
	69	+	(2) to that end, to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to 12
	70	+	residential housing by any person, in order to protect and ensure the peace, health, safety, 13
	71	+	prosperity, and general welfare of all. 14
71	72
72		-	(H–1) (1) “NATIONAL ORIGIN ” MEANS THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED 14
73		-	COUNTRY OR GEOGRAPHI C AREA OF ORIGIN OF A PERSON OR THE ANCE STORS OF A 15
74		-	PERSON. 16
	73	+	(b) This subtitle: 15
75	74
76		-	(2) “NATIONAL ORIGIN ” INCLUDES THE BIRTHPL ACE, ETHNICITY, 17
77		-	ANCESTRY, NAME, CULTURE, AND LANGUAGE OF A PE RSON OR THE ANCESTOR S OF 18
78		-	A PERSON. 19
	75	+	(1) is an exercise of the police power of the State for the protection of the 16
	76	+	people of the State; and 17
79	77
80		-	20–702. 20
	78	+	(2) shall be administered and enforced by the Commission and, as provided 18
	79	+	in this title, enforced by the appropriate State court. 19
81	80
82		-	~~(a) It is the policy of the State: 21~~
	81	+	20–705. 20
83	82
84		-	(1) to provide for fair housing throughout the State to all, regardless of 22
85		-	race, color, religion, sex, familial status, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national 23
86		-	origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or source of income; 24
87		-	and 25
	83	+	Except as provided in §§ 20–703 and 20–704 of this subtitle, a person may not: 21
88	84
89		-	(2) to that end, to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to 26
90		-	residential housing by any person, in order to protect and ensure the peace, health, safety, 27
91		-	prosperity, and general welfare of all. 28
	85	+	(1) refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, refuse to 22
	86	+	negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any 23
	87	+	person because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual 24
	88	+	orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or 25
	89	+	source of income; 26
92	90
93		-	(b) This subtitle: 29
	91	+	(2) discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges 27
	92	+	of the sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection 28
	93	+	with the sale or rental of a dwelling, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital 29
	94	+	status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 30
	95	+	STATUS, national origin, or source of income; 31
	96	+	SENATE BILL 875 3
94	97
95		-	(1) is an exercise of the police power of the State for the protection of the 30
96		-	people of the State; and 31 SENATE BILL 875 3
	98	+
	99	+	(3) make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published, any 1
	100	+	notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that 2
	101	+	indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, 3
	102	+	disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, 4
	103	+	CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income, or an intention 5
	104	+	to make any preference, limitation, or discrimination; 6
	105	+
	106	+	(4) represent to any person, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, 7
	107	+	marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, 8
	108	+	IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income, that any dwelling is not 9
	109	+	available for inspection, sale, or rental when the dwelling is available; or 10
	110	+
	111	+	(5) for profit, induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any 11
	112	+	dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood 12
	113	+	of a person of a particular race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, 13
	114	+	sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national 14
	115	+	origin, or source of income. 15
	116	+
	117	+	20–707. 16
	118	+
	119	+	(a) In this section, “residential real estate–related transaction” means: 17
	120	+
	121	+	(1) the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial 18
	122	+	assistance: 19
	123	+
	124	+	(i) for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or 20
	125	+	maintaining a dwelling; or 21
	126	+
	127	+	(ii) secured by residential real estate; or 22
	128	+
	129	+	(2) the selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property. 23
	130	+
	131	+	(b) (1) A person whose business includes engaging in residential real 24
	132	+	estate–related transactions may not discriminate against any person in making available 25
	133	+	a transaction, or in the terms or conditions of a transaction, because of race, color, religion, 26
	134	+	sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, 27
	135	+	CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income. 28
	136	+
	137	+	(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not prohibit a person engaged in 29
	138	+	the business of furnishing appraisals of real property from taking into consideration factors 30
	139	+	other than race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual 31
	140	+	orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or 32
	141	+	source of income. 33
	142	+
	143	+	(c) A person may not, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital 34
	144	+	status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 35 4 SENATE BILL 875
	145	+
	146	+
	147	+	STATUS, national origin, or source of income: 1
	148	+
	149	+	(1) deny a person access to, or membership or participation in, a 2
	150	+	multiple–listing service, real estate brokers’ organization, or other service, organization, or 3
	151	+	facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or 4
	152	+
	153	+	(2) discriminate against a person in the terms or conditions of membership 5
	154	+	or participation. 6
	155	+
	156	+	20–708.1. 7
	157	+
	158	+	(A) UNLESS SPECIFICALLY R EQUIRED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW OR 8
	159	+	COURT ORDER , IN CONNECTION WITH T HE RENTAL OF A DWELL ING, A PERSON MAY 9
	160	+	NOT: 10
	161	+
	162	+	(1) INQUIRE ABOUT A PERS ON’S CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , 11
	163	+	OR NATIONAL ORIGIN ; OR 12
	164	+
	165	+	(2) DISCLOSE OR THREATEN TO DISCLOSE INFORMAT ION REGARDING 13
	166	+	A PERSON’S ACTUAL OR PERCEIVE D CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , OR 14
	167	+	NATIONAL ORIGIN TO A NY OTHER PERSON , INCLUDING AN IMMIGRA TION 15
	168	+	AUTHORITY OR A LAW E NFORCEMENT AGENCY . 16
	169	+
	170	+	(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM : 17
	171	+
	172	+	(1) COMPLYING WITH A LEG AL OBLIGATION OR ACT ING PURSUANT TO 18
	173	+	A CONDITION FOR FUND ING UNDER A FEDERAL , STATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT 19
	174	+	PROGRAM; 20
	175	+
	176	+	(2) REQUESTING INFORMATI ON OR DOCUMENTATION AS PART OF A 21
	177	+	STANDARD RENTAL PRAC TICE TO VERIFY TH E FINANCIAL QUALIFIC ATIONS OR 22
	178	+	IDENTITY OF A POTENT IAL RENTER IF THE SA ME INFORMATION OR 23
	179	+	DOCUMENTATION IS REQ UESTED OF EVERY POTE NTIAL RENTER; OR 24
	180	+
	181	+	(3) PROVIDING NOTICE TO A RENTER REGARDING C ONDUCT BY THE 25
	182	+	RENTER THAT MAY VIOL ATE AN APPLICABLE RE NTAL AGREE MENT OR LAW OR 26
	183	+	REGULATION . 27
	184	+
	185	+	20–901. 28
	186	+
	187	+	(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a unit, officer, or employee 29
	188	+	of the State, a county, or a municipal corporation may not engage in a discriminatory act 30
	189	+	prohibited by § 20–304, § 20–606, § 20–705, § 20–706, § 20–707, [or] § 20–708, OR § 31
	190	+	20–708.1 of this title. 32 SENATE BILL 875 5
97	191
98	192
99	193
100		-	(2) ~~shall be administered~~ and ~~enforced by the Commission and,~~ ~~as provided~~ 1
101		-	~~in this title, enforced by~~ the ~~appropriate State court.~~ 2
	194	+	(b) Sections 20–304, 20–705, [and] 20–706, AND 20–708.1 of this title do not 1
	195	+	prohibit the State, a county, or a municipality from: 2
102	196
103		-	20–705. 3
	197	+	(1) providing separate facilities for males and fema les in 3
	198	+	government–owned or government–operated public institutions; or 4
104	199
105		-	Except as provided in §§ 20–703 and 20–704 of this subtitle, a person may not: 4
	200	+	(2) operating or funding special or separate programs and facilities for 5
	201	+	children, seniors, or other special populations. 6
106	202
107		-	(1) refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, refuse to 5
108		-	negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any 6
109		-	person because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual 7
110		-	orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or 8
111		-	source of income; 9
	203	+	20–1020. 7
112	204
113		-	(2) discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges 10
114		-	of the sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection 11
115		-	with the sale or rental of a dwelling, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital 12
116		-	status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 13
117		-	STATUS, national origin, or source of income; 14
	205	+	(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. 8
118	206
119		-	(3) make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published, any 15
120		-	notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that 16
121		-	indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, 17
122		-	disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, 18
123		-	CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income, or an intention 19
124		-	to make any preference, limitation, or discrimination; 20
	207	+	(e) “Discriminatory housing practice” means an act that is prohibited under § 9
	208	+	20–705, § 20–706, § 20–707, [or] § 20–708, OR § 20–708.1 of this title. 10
125	209
126		-	(4) represent to any person, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, 21
127		-	marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, 22
128		-	IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income, that any dwelling is not 23
129		-	available for inspection, sale, or rental when the dwelling is available; or 24
	210	+	20–1103. 11
130	211
131		-	(5) for profit, induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any 25
132		-	dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood 26
133		-	of a person of a particular race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, 27
134		-	sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national 28
135		-	origin, or source of income. 29
	212	+	(a) In this section, “disability”, “dwelling”, “familial status”, “marital status”, 12
	213	+	“rent”, and “source of income” have the meanings stated in § 20–701 of this title. 13
136	214
137		-	20–707. 30
	215	+	(b) Whether or not acting under color of law, a person may not, by force or threat 14
	216	+	of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate, or 15
	217	+	interfere with: 16
138	218
139		-	(a) In this section, “residential real estate–related transaction” means: 31
	219	+	(1) any person because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital 17
	220	+	status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 18
	221	+	STATUS, national origin, or source of income and because the person is or has been: 19
140	222
141		-	(1) the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial 32
142		-	assistance: 33
143		-	4 SENATE BILL 875
	223	+	(i) selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, or contracting 20
	224	+	or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing, or occupation of any dwelling; or 21
	225	+
	226	+	(ii) applying for or participating in any service, organization, or 22
	227	+	facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; 23
	228	+
	229	+	(2) any person because the person is or has been, or in order to intimidate 24
	230	+	the person or any other person or any class of persons from: 25
	231	+
	232	+	(i) participating, without discrimination on account of race, color, 26
	233	+	religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, 27
	234	+	CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income, in any of the 28
	235	+	activities, services, organizations, or facilities described in item (1) of this subsection; or 29
	236	+
	237	+	(ii) affording another person or class of persons the opportunity or 30
	238	+	protection to participate in any of the activities, services, organizations, or facilities 31 6 SENATE BILL 875
144	239
145	240
146		-	(i) for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or 1
147		-	maintaining a dwelling; or 2
	241	+	described in item (1) of this subsection; or 1
148	242
149		-	(ii) secured by residential real estate; or 3
	243	+	(3) any person because the person is or has been, or in order to discourage 2
	244	+	the person or any other person from: 3
150	245
151		-	(2) the selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property. 4
	246	+	(i) lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, 4
	247	+	without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, 5
	248	+	familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 6
	249	+	STATUS, national origin, or source of income, in any of the activities, services, 7
	250	+	organizations, or facilities described in item (1) of this subsection; or 8
152	251
153		-	(b) (1) A person whose business includes engaging in residential real 5
154		-	estate–related transactions may not discriminate against any person in making available 6
155		-	a transaction, or in the terms or conditions of a transaction, because of race, color, religion, 7
156		-	sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, 8
157		-	CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income. 9
	252	+	(ii) participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing 9
	253	+	any denial of the opportunity to participate in any of the activities, services, organizations, 10
	254	+	or facilities described in item (1) of this subsection. 11
158	255
159		-	(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not prohibit a person engaged in 10
160		-	the business of furnishing appraisals of real property from taking into consideration factors 11
161		-	other than race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual 12
162		-	orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or 13
163		-	source of income. 14
	256	+	(c) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction 12
	257	+	is subject to: 13
164	258
165		-	(c) A person may not, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital 15
166		-	status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 16
167		-	STATUS, national origin, or source of income: 17
	259	+	(1) imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or 14
	260	+	both; 15
168	261
169		-	(1) deny a person access to, or membersh ip or participation in, a 18
170		-	multiple–listing service, real estate brokers’ organization, or other service, organization, or 19
171		-	facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or 20
	262	+	(2) if the violation results in bodily injury, imprisonment not exceeding 10 16
	263	+	years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; or 17
172	264
173		-	(2) discriminate against a person in the terms or conditions of membership 21
174		-	or participation. 22
	265	+	(3) if the violation results in death, imprisonment not exceeding life. 18
175	266
176		-	20–708.1. 23
	267	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 19
	268	+	October 1, 2022. 20
177	269
178		-	(A) UNLESS SPECIFICALLY R EQUIRED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW OR 24
179		-	COURT ORDER , IN CONNECTION WITH T HE RENTAL OF A DWELL ING, A PERSON MAY 25
180		-	NOT: 26
181		-
182		-	(1) INQUIRE ABOUT A PERS ON’S CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , 27
183		-	OR NATIONAL ORIGIN ; OR 28
184		-
185		-	(2) DISCLOSE OR THREATEN TO DISCLOSE INFORMAT ION REGARDING 29
186		-	A PERSON’S ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , OR 30
187		-	NATIONAL ORIGIN TO A NY OTHER PERSON , INCLUDING AN IMMIGRA TION 31
188		-	AUTHORITY OR A LAW E NFORCEMENT AGENCY . 32
189		-
190		-	(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT A PERSON FR OM: 33
191		-	SENATE BILL 875 5
192		-
193		-
194		-	(1) COMPLYING WITH A LEG AL OBLIGATION OR ACT ING PURSUANT TO 1
195		-	A CONDITION FOR FUND ING UNDER A FEDERAL , STATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT 2
196		-	PROGRAM; 3
197		-
198		-	(2) REQUESTING INFORMATI ON OR DOCUMENTATION AS PART OF A 4
199		-	STANDARD R ENTAL PRACTICE TO VE RIFY THE FINANCIAL Q UALIFICATIONS OR 5
200		-	IDENTITY OF A POTENT IAL RENTER IF THE SA ME INFORMATION OR 6
201		-	DOCUMENTATION IS REQ UESTED OF EVERY POTE NTIAL RENTER; OR 7
202		-
203		-	(3) PROVIDING NOTICE TO A RENTER REGARDING C ONDUCT BY THE 8
204		-	RENTER THAT MAY VIOL ATE AN APPLICABLE RENTAL AGREEMENT OR LAW OR 9
205		-	REGULATION ; OR 10
206		-
207		-	(4) RESPONDING TO AN INQ UIRY FROM A LAW ENFO RCEMENT 11
208		-	AGENCY THAT IS PART OF A CRIMINAL INVEST IGATION. 12
209		-
210		-	20–901. 13
211		-
212		-	(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a unit, officer, or employee 14
213		-	of the State, a county, or a municipal corporation may not engage in a discriminatory act 15
214		-	prohibited by § 20–304, § 20–606, § 20–705, § 20–706, § 20–707, [or] § 20–708, OR § 16
215		-	20–708.1 of this title. 17
216		-
217		-	(b) Sections 20–304, 20–705, [and] 20–706, AND 20–708.1 of this title do not 18
218		-	prohibit the State, a county, or a municipality from: 19
219		-
220		-	(1) providing separate facilities for males and females in 20
221		-	government–owned or government–operated public institutions; or 21
222		-
223		-	(2) operating or funding special or separate programs and facilities for 22
224		-	children, seniors, or other special populations. 23
225		-
226		-	20–1020. 24
227		-
228		-	(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. 25
229		-
230		-	(e) “Discriminatory housing practice” means an act that is prohibited under § 26
231		-	20–705, § 20–706, § 20–707, [or] § 20–708, OR § 20–708.1 of this title. 27
232		-
233		-	20–1103. 28
234		-
235		-	(a) In this section, “CITIZENSHIP”, “disability”, “dwelling”, “familial status”, 29
236		-	“IMMIGRATION STATUS ”, “marital status”, “NATIONAL ORIGIN ”, “rent”, and “source of 30
237		-	income” have the meanings stated in § 20–701 of this title. 31
238		-	6 SENATE BILL 875
239		-
240		-
241		-	(b) Whether or not acting under color of law, a person may not, by force or threat 1
242		-	of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate, or 2
243		-	interfere with: 3
244		-
245		-	(1) any person because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital 4
246		-	status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 5
247		-	STATUS, national origin, or source of income and because the person is or has been: 6
248		-
249		-	(i) selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, or contracting 7
250		-	or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing, or occupation of any dwelling; or 8
251		-
252		-	(ii) applying for or participating in any service, organization, or 9
253		-	facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; 10
254		-
255		-	(2) any person because the person is or has been, or in order to intimidate 11
256		-	the person or any other person or any class of persons from: 12
257		-
258		-	(i) participating, without discrimination on account of race, color, 13
259		-	religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, 14
260		-	CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS , national origin, or source of income, in any of the 15
261		-	activities, services, organizations, or facilities described in item (1) of this subsection; or 16
262		-
263		-	(ii) affording another person or class of persons the opportunity or 17
264		-	protection to participate in any of the activities, services, organizations, or facilities 18
265		-	described in item (1) of this subsection; or 19
266		-
267		-	(3) any person because the person is or has been, or in order to discourage 20
268		-	the person or any other person from: 21
269		-
270		-	(i) lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, 22
271		-	without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, 23
272		-	familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION 24
273		-	STATUS, national origin, or source of income, in any of the activities, services, 25
274		-	organizations, or facilities described in item (1) of this subsection; or 26
275		-
276		-	(ii) participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing 27
277		-	any denial of the opportunity to participate in any of the activities, services, organizations, 28
278		-	or facilities described in item (1) of this subsection. 29
279		-
280		-	(c) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction 30
281		-	is subject to: 31
282		-
283		-	(1) imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or 32
284		-	both; 33
285		-
286		-	(2) if the violation results in bodily injury, imprisonment not exceeding 10 34
287		-	years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; or 35 SENATE BILL 875 7
288		-
289		-
290		-
291		-	(3) if the violation results in death, imprisonment not exceeding life. 1
292		-
293		-	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 2
294		-	October 1, 2022. 3
295		-
296		-
297		-
298		-	Approved:
299		-	________________________________________________________________________________
300		-	Governor.
301		-	________________________________________________________________________________
302		-	President of the Senate.
303		-	________________________________________________________________________________
304		-	Speaker of the House of Delegates.