AB1227: Bill Text

LRB-5848/1

MIM:wlj/amn/skw

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Assembly BILL 1227

April 11, 2024 - Introduced by Representatives Clancy, Bare, Madison, C. Anderson, J. Anderson, Baldeh, Snodgrass and Stubbs, cosponsored by Senators Agard, Spreitzer and Roys. Referred to Committee on Housing and Real Estate.

AB1227,1,2 An Act to amend 66.1011 (1), 106.50 (1) and 106.50 (1m) (h); and to create 106.50 (1m) (rm) of the statutes; relating to: housing discrimination.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current open housing law prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, lawful source of income, age, or ancestry. This bill prohibits discrimination in housing based upon receipt of rental or housing assistance in the form of a contribution from a third party.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB1227,1 Section 1. 66.1011 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1227,2,8 66.1011 (1) Declaration of policy. The right of all persons to have equal opportunities for housing regardless of their sex, race, color, disability, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (g), sexual orientation, as defined in s. 111.32 (13m), religion, national origin, marital status, family status, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (k), status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), lawful source of income, receipt of rental or housing assistance, age, or ancestry is a matter both of statewide concern under ss. 101.132 and 106.50 and also of local interest under this section and s. 66.0125. The enactment of ss. 101.132 and 106.50 by the legislature does not preempt the subject matter of equal opportunities in housing from consideration by political subdivisions, and does not exempt political subdivisions from their duty, nor deprive them of their right, to enact ordinances that prohibit discrimination in any type of housing solely on the basis of an individual being a member of a protected class.

AB1227,2 Section 2. 106.50 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1227,2,24 106.50 (1) Intent. It is the intent of this section to render unlawful discrimination in housing. It is the declared policy of this state that all persons shall have an equal opportunity for housing regardless of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, lawful source of income, receipt of rental or housing assistance, age, or ancestry and it is the duty of the political subdivisions to assist in the orderly prevention or removal of all discrimination in housing through the powers granted under ss. 66.0125 and 66.1011. The legislature hereby extends the state law governing equal housing opportunities to cover single-family residences that are owner-occupied. The legislature finds that the sale and rental of single-family residences constitute a significant portion of the housing business in this state and should be regulated. This section shall be considered an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the welfare, health, peace, dignity, and human rights of the people of this state.

AB1227,3 Section 3. 106.50 (1m) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1227,3,6 106.50 (1m) (h) “Discriminate" means to segregate, separate, exclude, or treat a person or class of persons unequally in a manner described in sub. (2), (2m), or (2r) because of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, lawful source of income, receipt of rental or housing assistance, age, or ancestry.

AB1227,4 Section 4. 106.50 (1m) (rm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB1227,3,14 106.50 (1m) (rm) “Rental or housing assistance” means any form of financial contribution from a 3rd party for the purpose of creating or maintaining affordable housing for tenants, purchasers, or other recipients of housing, including assistance provided under 42 USC 1437f, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program administered by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, or the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

AB1227,3,15 (End)