Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits landlords from disclosing the immigration status or threatening to do so in retaliation or for the purpose of eviction.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the immigration status of any individual is irrelevant to any issue of liability or in any civil action involving a tenant’s housing rights (Sec. 7).

• Prohibits landlords from threatening to disclose the immigration status of a tenant or other individual associated with the tenant for the purpose of eviction (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits landlords from refusing to offer accommodations or a lease based on the perceived immigration status of a prospective tenant (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that this does not prohibit a landlord from complying with any government program that provides rental assistance to a qualified tenant or any legal obligation of a court-ordered subpoena or warrant (Sec. 4).

• Requires landlords who are found in violation to pay statutory damages ranging from 6 to 12 times the tenant’s monthly rent (Sec. 5).

• Prohibits landlords from increasing rent or decreasing services for the purpose of retaliating against a tenant because he or she has lawfully exercised any rights under this law (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that a landlord may be liable for punitive damages between $100 and $2,000 for each act of retaliation (Sec. 6).

• Requires a court of applicable jurisdiction to issue injunctive relief to prevent a landlord found guilty from engaging in similar conduct with respect to other tenants (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text