2025 -- S 0274
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LC000660
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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
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
Introduced By: Senators Quezada, Acosta, Bissaillon, and Bell
Date Introduced: February 13, 2025
Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government
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) Requesting information or documentation necessary to determine or verify the financial 17
qualifications of a prospective tenant, or to determine or verify the identity of a prospective tenant 18
or prospective occupant. 19
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
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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 to request information or documentation 3
necessary to determine or verify the financial qualifications of a prospective tenant or to determine 4
or verify the identity of a prospective tenant. 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
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LC000660
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