Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5675 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/26/2025

                             
 
 
 
2025 -- H 5675 
======== 
LC000720 
======== 
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D 
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025 
____________ 
 
A N   A C T 
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT 
Introduced By: Representatives Perez, Diaz, Batista, Shallcross Smith, and Fellela 
Date Introduced: February 26, 2025 
Referred To: House Judiciary 
 
 
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 
SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant 1 
Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2 
34-18-62. Inquiries regarding immigration status.     3 
(a) No landlord or any agent of the landlord shall: 4 
(1) Make any inquiry regarding or based on the immigration or citizenship status of a 5 
tenant, prospective tenant, occupant, or prospective occupant of residential rental property; or 6 
(2) Require that any tenant, prospective tenant, occupant, or prospective occupant of the 7 
rental property make any statement, representation, or certification concerning their immigration 8 
or citizenship status. 9 
(b) No municipality or housing agency shall compel a landlord or any agent of the landlord 10 
to make any inquiry, compile, disclose, report, or provide any information, prohibit offering or 11 
continuing to offer accommodations in the property for rent or lease, or otherwise take any action 12 
regarding or based on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, prospective tenant, occupant 13 
or prospective occupant of residential rental property. 14 
(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a landlord from: 15 
(1) Complying with any legal obligation under federal law; or 16 
(2) In accordance with applicable law, requesting any information or any documentation 17 
that may be necessary to determine or verify the financial qualifications of a prospective tenant.  18   
 
 
LC000720 - Page 2 of 3 
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1 
======== 
LC000720 
========  
 
 
LC000720 - Page 3 of 3 
EXPLANATION 
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 
OF 
A N   A C T 
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT 
***
This act would prohibit a landlord from asking about the immigration status of a tenant, 1 
prospective tenant, occupant, or prospective occupant of residential rental property, subject to any 2 
federal laws or regulations, but would allow a landlord, in accordance with applicable law, to 3 
request information or documentation necessary to determine or verify the financial qualifications 4 
of a prospective tenant. 5 
This act would take effect upon passage. 6 
======== 
LC000720 
========