S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8389
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               June 15, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. EPSTEIN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Governmental Operations
 
 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to directing the division
   of human rights to promulgate a statement regarding housing  discrimi-
   nation that shall be appended to any form of housing assistance

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section  295-a
 to read as follows:
   §  295-A. ADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION. IN ADDITION TO
 THE POWERS AND DUTIES OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THIS ARTICLE,  THE  DIVISION
 SHALL:
   CREATE  AND  PROMULGATE A STATEMENT THAT SHALL BE APPENDED TO ANY FORM
 OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE ADMINISTERED BY  ANY  STATE  OR  MUNICIPAL  AGENCY
 INCLUDING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE SECTION EIGHT HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER
 PROGRAM, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF HOUSING  ASSISTANCE,  PAYMENT,  OR  CREDIT
 REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT SUCH ASSISTANCE OR CREDIT IS PAID OR ATTRI-
 BUTED  DIRECTLY  TO  A  LANDLORD.  SUCH  STATEMENT  SHALL, AT A MINIMUM,
 INCLUDE:
   1. EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF LAWFUL SOURCE OF INCOME;
   2. EXAMPLES OF PHRASES  THAT  MAY  INDICATE  DISCRIMINATION  BASED  ON
 LAWFUL  SOURCE  OF INCOME IN VIOLATION OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SIX
 OF THIS ARTICLE;
   3. A STATEMENT THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR  LANDLORDS,  BROKERS  AND  OTHER
 HOUSING AGENTS TO REFUSE TO ACCEPT RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR PAYMENT OF RENT
 OR A SECURITY DEPOSIT IN BUILDINGS WITH SIX OR MORE UNITS;
   4.  A  STATEMENT  THAT  IT IS ILLEGAL FOR LANDLORDS, BROKERS AND OTHER
 HOUSING AGENTS TO REQUEST  ADDITIONAL  PAYMENTS  FOR  RENT,  A  SECURITY
 DEPOSIT  OR  BROKER'S  FEE BECAUSE AN INDIVIDUAL RECEIVES RENTAL ASSIST-
 ANCE;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13308-02-9
              

 A. 8389                             2
 
   5. A STATEMENT THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR  LANDLORDS,  BROKERS  AND  OTHER
 HOUSING  AGENTS  TO  PUBLISH  ANY TYPE OF ADVERTISEMENT THAT INDICATES A
 REFUSAL TO ACCEPT RENTAL ASSISTANCE;
   6.  A  STATEMENT  THAT  IT IS ILLEGAL FOR LANDLORDS TO REFUSE OR DELAY
 MAKING REPAIRS TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S UNIT BECAUSE SUCH INDIVIDUAL PAYS RENT
 WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE;
   7. A STATEMENT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL  HAS  THE  RIGHT  TO  BE  FREE  FROM
 DISCRIMINATORY,  HARASSING  OR THREATENING BEHAVIOR OR COMMENTS BASED ON
 SUCH INDIVIDUAL'S RECEIPT OF OR APPLICATION FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE;
   8. CONTACT INFORMATION, INCLUDING PHONE NUMBERS, FOR  THE  APPROPRIATE
 AGENCIES  AND  DEPARTMENTS  AT  WHICH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT IF THE VOUCHER
 RECIPIENT FEELS THAT HE OR SHE IS A VICTIM OF SOURCE OF INCOME DISCRIMI-
 NATION; AND
   9. ANY OTHER INFORMATION DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
 have  become  a  law.    Effective  immediately, the addition, amendment
 and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
 of this act on  its  effective  date  are  authorized  to  be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.