Signed by Governor Lincoln Chafee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of housing status.

Highlights:

• Prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of housing status, whereas existing law did not include housing status as a protected status (Sec. 2).

• Defines “housing status” as the status of having or not having a fixed or regular residence, including the status of living on the streets or in a homeless shelter or other temporary residence (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that all individuals have equal opportunity to live in decent, safe, sanitary, and healthful accommodations anywhere within the state regardless of housing status (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a homeless person has the same rights and privileges as any other state resident including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• The right to use and move freely in public spaces including, but not limited to, public sidewalks, parks, and transportation;
• The right to equal treatment by all state and municipal agencies;
• The right not to face discrimination while seeking or maintaining employment due to his or her lack of a permanent mailing address, or his or her mailing address being that of a homeless shelter or social service provider;
• The right to emergency medical care;
• The right to vote, register to vote, and receive documentation necessary to prove identity for voting; and
• The right to a reasonable expectation of privacy of his or her personal property to the same extent as personal property in a permanent residence.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of housing status.

Highlights:

• Prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of housing status, whereas existing law did not include housing status as a protected status (Sec. 2).

• Defines “housing status” as the status of having or not having a fixed or regular residence, including the status of living on the streets or in a homeless shelter or other temporary residence (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that all individuals have equal opportunity to live in decent, safe, sanitary, and healthful accommodations anywhere within the state regardless of housing status (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a homeless person has the same rights and privileges as any other state resident including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• The right to use and move freely in public spaces including, but not limited to, public sidewalks, parks, and transportation;
• The right to equal treatment by all state and municipal agencies;
• The right not to face discrimination while seeking or maintaining employment due to his or her lack of a permanent mailing address, or his or her mailing address being that of a homeless shelter or social service provider;
• The right to emergency medical care;
• The right to vote, register to vote, and receive documentation necessary to prove identity for voting; and
• The right to a reasonable expectation of privacy of his or her personal property to the same extent as personal property in a permanent residence.

Full Bill Text