law21322

Chapter 322

2021 -- H 5268 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
Enacted 07/09/2021

A N A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESPERSONS

Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, and Slater

Date Introduced: January 29, 2021

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Sections 5-20.5-4, 5-20.5-6 and 5-20.5-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-

20.5 entitled "Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons" are hereby amended to read as follows:

5-20.5-4. Examination of applicants -- Examination fee -- Licensing without

examination.

(a) The director shall require any applicant for a real estate broker's or salesperson's license

to submit to and pass a written examination to show the applicant's knowledge of the state statutes

and the rules and regulations relating to real property, deeds, mortgages, leases, contracts, and

agency real estate relationships, and federal and state fair housing laws pertaining to fair housing

and the treatment of any individual in a protected class as designated in chapter 37 of title 34. An

applicant shall not be required to take the uniform portion of the Rhode Island real estate licensing

examination if the applicant provides sufficient evidence that the applicant possesses an existing

valid real estate license from a state that has similar statutes or regulations in effect which that

provide for reciprocal waiver of the uniform portion of the real estate licensing examination for

persons holding an existing valid Rhode Island real estate broker's or salesperson's license. An

applicant for a real estate broker's or salesperson's license, prior to the taking of the examination,

must pay an examination fee, the cost of which is limited to the charge as designated by the

appropriate testing service's contract with the department of business regulation.

(b) An applicant for a real estate salesperson's license must submit satisfactory evidence of

completion of a minimum of forty-five (45) classroom hours in a real estate course given by a

school as defined in § 5-20.5-19. The applicant for a broker's license must also submit satisfactory

proof that he or she: (i) Has been engaged full time as a real estate salesperson for at least two (2)

years immediately prior to the date of application; and (ii) Has successfully completed at least

ninety (90) hours of approved classroom study in a school as defined in § 5-20.5-19, or equivalent

in a correspondence course offered by an extension department of an accredited college or

university. The director, in his or her sole discretion, may require any additional evidence or proof

as to the honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, good reputation, and competency of any applicant.

20.5-11 within one year of the date of that examination may be required by the director to re-submit

to and pass a written examination as provided in subsection (a) of this section.

(d) When an attorney-at-law licensed by the supreme court of the state desires to have a

real estate broker's license or a real estate salesperson's license, the attorney, by application, and

upon payment of the applicable fee as provided in § 5-20.5-11, shall be granted a license without

examination.

(e) A certificate of licensure shall be issued by the real estate division of the department of

business regulation within thirty (30) days after it is requested at a cost of not more than twenty-

five dollars ($25.00) for each certificate issued.

5-20.5-6. Duration of licenses -- Rules and regulations -- Suspension or revocation of

licenses Duration and renewal of licenses -- Continuing education-rules and regulations --

Suspension or revocation of licenses.

(a) If the director is satisfied that the applicant is competent and trustworthy and is

reasonably familiar with the statutes and law relating to real estate, he or she shall issue to the

applicant a license to act as a real estate broker or a real estate salesperson. The director shall

promulgate rules and regulations mandating the term of license for each category of license issued

pursuant to this chapter. No license shall remain in force for a period in excess of three (3) years.

Any fee for the initial issuance of a license or for renewal of a license issued pursuant to this chapter

is determined by multiplying the current annual fee by the term of years of the license or renewal.

The fee for the total number of years of the initial license or of the renewal shall be paid in full

prior to the issuance of the respective license. The license shall be renewed upon payment of the

renewal fee and proof of completion of any continuing education requirements as set forth in the

rules and regulations issued by the department of business regulation. Any license issued or

renewed may be suspended or revoked by the director, for cause, prior to the expiration date. The

director shall issue reasonable rules and regulations with the consent of the majority of the Rhode

Island real estate commission governing the conduct of licensed real estate brokers and

salespersons. These rules and regulations shall be designed to implement the laws and policies of

this state and to protect the interests of the public.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, all applicants for a renewal license

for real estate brokers or real estate salespersons, shall submit proof to the director that they have

completed during the preceding two-(2) year (2) period, a minimum of twenty-four (24) classroom

hours of real estate oriented educational sessions or courses of instruction that have been previously

approved by the director. A minimum of three (3) of such classroom hours shall be comprised of

instruction about federal, Rhode Island, or local laws pertaining to fair housing and the treatment

of any individual in a protected class as designated in chapter 37 of title 34.

of continuing education requirements as set forth in the rules and regulations issued by the

department of business regulation. Any license issued or renewed may be suspended or revoked by

the director, for cause, prior to the expiration date. The director shall issue reasonable rules and

regulations with the consent of the majority of the Rhode Island real estate commission governing

the conduct of licensed real estate brokers and salespersons. These rules and regulations shall be

designed to implement the laws and policies of this state and to protect the interests of the public.

(b)(d) Any rules or regulations promulgated with regard to the requirement of continuing

education for the renewal of any real estate broker's or salesperson's license whose application for

an initial broker's or salesperson's license is approved within one hundred eighty (180) days of the

expiration date of his or her initial license is not subject to the continuing education requirement at

the time of his or her first renewal. An attorney at law licensed by the supreme court of the state

and granted a license pursuant to § 5-20.5-4(d) is not subject to the continuing education

requirements. The director, after a due and proper hearing, may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew

any license upon proof that it was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation or that the holder of the

license has been guilty of fraud or misrepresentation or criminal acts in the performance of his or

her functions, or upon proof that the holder of the license has violated this statute or any rule or

regulation issued pursuant to this statute.

(c)(e) The director shall, for licenses issued or renewed after July 1, 2004, require proof of

reasonable familiarity with and knowledge of duties and responsibilities established by the lead

poisoning prevention act, chapter 24.6 of title 23, and the lead hazard mitigation act, chapter 128.1

of title 42. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the requirements of this

subsection shall apply to first renewals when licenses were initially issued before July 1, 2004. This

subsection shall be put into force and effect by the director in the manner set forth in chapter 128.1

of title 42 and with the advice of the Rhode Island real estate commission.

5-20.5-14. Revocation, suspension of license -- Probationary period -- Penalties.

(a) The director may, upon his or her own motion, and shall, upon the receipt of the written

verified complaint of any person initiating a cause under this section, ascertain the facts and, if

warranted, hold a hearing for the suspension or revocation of a license. The director has power to

refuse a license for cause or to suspend or revoke a license or place a licensee on probation for a

period not to exceed one year where it has been obtained by false representation, or by fraudulent

act or conduct, or where a licensee, in performing or attempting to perform any of the acts

mentioned in this chapter, is found to have committed any of the following acts or practices:

(1) Making any substantial misrepresentation;

(2) Making any false promise of a character likely to influence, persuade, or induce any

person to enter into any contract or agreement when he or she could not or did not intend to keep

that promise;

(3) Pursuing a continued and flagrant course of misrepresentation or making of false

promises through salespersons, other persons, or any medium of advertising, or otherwise;

(4) Any misleading or untruthful advertising;

(5) Failing to deposit money or other customers' funds received by a broker or salesperson

into an escrow account maintained by the broker that complies with the requirements set forth in §

5-20.5-26, upon execution of a purchase and sales agreement;

(6) Failing to preserve for three (3) years following its consummation records relating to

any real estate transaction as described in the regulations issued by the department;

(7) Acting for more than one party in a transaction without the knowledge and consent, in

writing, of all parties for whom he or she acts;

(8) Placing a "for sale" or "for rent" sign on any property without the written consent of the

owner, or his or her authorized agent;

(9) Failing to furnish a copy of any listing, sale, lease, or other contract relevant to a real

estate transaction to all signatories of the contract at the time of execution;

(10) Failing to specify a definite termination date that is not subject to prior notice, in any

listing contract;

(11) Inducing any party to a contract, sale, or lease to break that contract for the purpose

of substitution in lieu of that contract a new contract, where that substitution is motivated by the

personal gain of the licensee;

(12) Accepting a commission or any valuable consideration by a salesperson for the

performance of any acts specified in this chapter, from any person, except the licensed real estate

broker with whom he or she is affiliated;

(13) Failing to disclose to an owner his or her intention or true position if he or she, directly

or indirectly through a third party, purchases for himself or herself or acquires or intends to acquire

any interest in or any option to purchase property that has been listed with his or her office to sell

or lease;

(14) Being convicted of any criminal felony in a court of competent jurisdiction of this or

any other state or federal court involving dishonesty, breach of trust, forgery, embezzlement,

obtaining money under false pretenses, bribery, larceny, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, fraud,

false dealing, or any similar offense(s) or by pleading guilty or nolo contendere to any such criminal

offense or offenses;

(15) Violating any rule or regulation promulgated by the department in the interest of the

public and consistent with the provisions of this chapter;

(16) In the case of a broker licensee, failing to exercise adequate supervision over the

activities of his or her licensed salesperson within the scope of this chapter;

(17) Failing or refusing to provide information requested by the commission or director as

the result of a formal or informal complaint to the director that would indicate a violation of this

chapter;

(18) Soliciting, selling, or offering for sale real property by offering free lots or conducting

lotteries or contests or offering prizes for the purpose of influencing a purchaser or prospective

purchaser of real property;

(19) Paying or accepting, giving, or charging any undisclosed commission, rebate,

compensation, or profit or expenditures for a principal or in violation of this chapter;

(20) Any conduct in a real estate transaction that demonstrates bad faith, dishonesty,

untrustworthiness, or incompetence;

(21) Failing to have all listing agreements in writing, properly identifying the property and

containing all of the terms and conditions of the sale, including the commission to be paid, the

signatures of all parties concerned, and a definite expiration date in that contract that shall not

require an owner to notify a broker of his or her intention to terminate. An exclusive agency listing

or exclusive right to sell listing shall be clearly indicated in the listing agreement;

(22) Accepting a listing based on "net price." In cases where the owner wishes to list in this

manner, the agreed-upon commission is added and listings made in the usual manner;

(23) Negotiating, or attempting to negotiate, the sale, exchange, or lease of any real

property directly with an owner or lessor knowing that the owner or lessor has an outstanding

exclusive listing contract with another licensee covering the same property, except when the real

estate broker or salesperson is contacted by the client of another broker regarding a real estate

service, and the broker or salesperson has not directly or indirectly initiated those discussions, they

may discuss the terms under which they might enter into a future agency agreement; or they may

enter into an agency agreement that becomes effective upon termination of any existing exclusive

agreement; or they may enter into an agreement for other real estate service not covered by an

existing agency relationship;

(24) Accepting an exclusive right to sell or lease or an exclusive agency and subsequently

failing to make a diligent effort to sell or lease the listed property;

(25) Advising against the use of the services of an attorney in any real estate transaction;

(26) Representing to any lender or any other party in interest, either verbally or through the

preparation of a false sales contract, an amount other than the true and actual sales price;

(27) Submitting to an owner a written offer to purchase or lease unless that offer contains

the essential terms and conditions of the offer, including the manner in which the purchase price is

to be paid, and if that offer is contingent upon certain conditions, those conditions shall be clearly

stated in the offer, or unless the offer is conditioned upon the later execution of a complete

agreement for sale;

(28) Paying any sums of money being held in an escrow account to any person, or

converting the sums of money for his or her own use, in the event of a failed real estate transaction,

without having complied with the department's rules and regulations relative to the transfer of

disputed deposit funds to the office of the general treasurer;

(29) Advertising to sell, buy, exchange, rent, or lease the property of another in a manner

indicating that the offer to sell, buy, exchange, rent, or lease that property is being made by a private

party not engaged in the real estate business, or inserting advertisements in any publication

containing only a post office or other box number, telephone number, or street address. No

salesperson shall advertise the property of another under his or her own name;

(30) As a licensed salesperson, failing upon termination of his or her employment or

affiliation with a real estate broker and upon demand by the broker to immediately turn over to the

broker any and all information, records, or other materials obtained during his or her employment,

whether the information or records were originally given to him or her by the broker or copied from

the records of that broker or affiliation or acquired by the salesperson during his or her employment;

(31) Offering, promising, giving, or paying, directly or indirectly, any part or share of his

or her commission or compensation arising or accruing from any real estate transaction to any

person who is not licensed as a real estate broker, but who, by law, should be licensed, or who is

not a real estate salesperson employed by that licensee;

(32) Soliciting Violating chapter 37 of title 34 in his or her capacity as a real estate licensee,

including, but not limited to, soliciting the sale, lease, or the listing for sale or lease, of residential

property on the ground of loss of value due to the present or prospective entry in the neighborhood

of a person or persons of another race, religion, or ethnic origin, nor shall he or she distribute, or

cause to be distributed, material or make statements designed to induce a residential property owner

to sell or lease his or her property due to these factors;

(33) Failure of the employing broker to notify the director, in writing, within ten (10) days

of the termination of a salesperson's employment or contractual relationship, or failure of a

salesperson to notify the director, in writing, within ten (10) days of any change in his or her broker

affiliation;

(34) Failure to report all written offers to the owner prior to the signing of a purchase and

sale agreement by the owner;

(35) Failure of agents to provide buyers and sellers of real property with disclosure

regarding real estate agency relationships as specified in chapter 20.6 of this title;

(36) Failure of an associate broker to inform the public of associate broker status by not

listing associate broker on business cards and correspondence or by informing the public that his

or her status in the real estate firm is that of broker; or

(37) Failure to pay sums of money being held in an escrow account, pursuant to § 5-20.5-

26, within ten (10) days of receipt of a written release that has been signed by all parties to a failed

real estate transaction.

(b) The director is authorized to levy an administrative penalty not exceeding two thousand

dollars ($2,000) for any violation under this section or the rules and regulations of the department

of business regulation.

SECTION 2. Section 34-37-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-37 entitled "Rhode Island

Fair Housing Practices Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

34-37-4. Unlawful housing practices.

(a) No owner having the right to sell, rent, lease, or manage a housing accommodation as

defined in § 34-37-3(10), or an agent of any of these, shall, directly or indirectly, make, or cause to

be made, any written or oral inquiry concerning the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,

gender identity or expression, marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable

discharge or an honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces,

country of ancestral origin, or disability, age, familial status nor make any written or oral inquiry

concerning whether a tenant or applicant or a member of the household is, or has been, or is

threatened with being the victim of domestic abuse, or whether a tenant or applicant has obtained,

or sought, or is seeking relief from any court in the form of a restraining order for protection from

domestic abuse, of any prospective purchaser, occupant, or tenant of the housing accommodation;

directly or indirectly, refuse to sell, rent, lease, let, or otherwise deny to or withhold from any

individual the housing accommodation because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,

gender identity or expression, marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable

discharge or an honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces,

country of ancestral origin, disability, age, or familial status of the individual or the race, color,

religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status as a

veteran with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general administrative discharge,

servicemember in the armed forces, country of ancestral origin or disability, age, or familial status

of any person with whom the individual is or may wish to be associated; or shall, or on the basis

that a tenant or applicant, or a member of the household, is or has been, or is threatened with being,

the victim of domestic abuse, or that the tenant or applicant has obtained, or sought, or is seeking,

relief from any court in the form of a restraining order for protection from domestic abuse. Nor

shall an owner having the right to sell, rent, lease, or manage a housing accommodation as defined

in § 34-37-3(10), or an agent of any of these, directly or indirectly, issue any advertisement relating

to the sale, rental, or lease of the housing accommodation that indicates any preference, limitation,

specification, or discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression, marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an

honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of

ancestral origin, disability, age, familial status, or on the basis that a tenant or applicant or a member

of the household is, or has been, or is threatened with being the victim of domestic abuse, or that

the tenant or applicant has obtained, or sought, or is seeking relief from any court in the form of a

restraining order for protection from domestic abuse, or shall, directly or indirectly, discriminate

against any individual because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression, marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an

honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of

ancestral origin, disability, age, familial status, or on the basis that a tenant or applicant or a member

of the household is, or has been, or is threatened with being the victim of domestic abuse, or that

the tenant or applicant has obtained, or sought, or is seeking relief from any court in the form of a

restraining order for protection from domestic abuse, in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the

sale, rental, or lease of any housing accommodation or in the furnishing of facilities or services in

connection with it. Nor shall an owner having the right to sell, rent, lease, or manage a housing

accommodation as defined in § 34-37-3(10), or an agent of any of these, directly or indirectly,

misrepresent the availability of a housing accommodation or delay the processing of applications

relating to the sale, rental, or lease of the housing accommodation based upon an individual's race,

color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, lawful source

of income, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general

administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of ancestral origin, disability,

age, familial status, or on the basis that a tenant or applicant or a member of the household is, or

has been, or is threatened with being the victim of domestic abuse, or that the tenant or applicant

has obtained, or sought, or is seeking relief from any court in the form of a restraining order for

protection from domestic abuse. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit any oral

or written inquiry as to whether the prospective purchaser or tenant is over the age of eighteen (18).

(b) No person to whom application is made for a loan or other form of financial assistance

for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair, or maintenance of any housing

accommodation, whether secured or unsecured, shall directly or indirectly make or cause to be

made any written or oral inquiry concerning the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression, marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an

honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of

ancestral origin, disability, age, familial status, or any express written or oral inquiry into whether

a tenant or applicant or a member of the household is, or has been, or is threatened with being the

victim of domestic abuse, or whether a tenant or applicant has obtained, or sought, or is seeking

relief from any court in the form of a restraining order for protection from domestic abuse, of any

individual seeking the financial assistance, or of existing or prospective occupants or tenants of the

housing accommodation; nor shall any person to whom the application is made in the manner

provided, directly or indirectly, discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges relating to the

obtaining or use of any financial assistance against any applicant because of the race, color, religion,

sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status as a veteran

with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember

in the armed forces, country of ancestral origin, disability, age, familial status, or on the basis that

a tenant or applicant or a member of the household is, or has been, or is threatened with being the

victim of domestic abuse, or that the tenant or applicant has obtained, or sought, or is seeking relief

from any court in the form of a restraining order for protection from domestic abuse, of the applicant

or of the existing or prospective occupants or tenants. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed

to prohibit any written or oral inquiry as to whether the applicant is over the age of eighteen (18).

the exercise of the privilege of every person and the agent of any person having the right to sell,

rent, lease, or manage a housing accommodation to establish standards and preferences and set

terms, conditions, limitations, or specifications in the selling, renting, leasing, or letting thereof or

in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection therewith that do not discriminate on the

basis of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital

status, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general

administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of ancestral origin, disability,

age, familial status, or on the basis that a tenant or applicant or a member of the household is, or

has been, or is threatened with being the victim of domestic abuse, or that the tenant or applicant

has obtained, or sought, or is seeking relief from any court in the form of a restraining order for

protection from domestic abuse, of any prospective purchaser, lessee, tenant, or occupant thereof

or on the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status,

military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general administrative

discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of ancestral origin, disability, age, or

familial status of any person with whom the prospective purchaser, lessee, tenant, or occupant is or

may wish to be associated. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed in any manner to

prohibit or limit the exercise of the privilege of every person and the agent of any person making

loans for, or offering financial assistance in, the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair, or

maintenance of housing accommodations to set standards and preferences, terms, conditions,

limitations, or specifications for the granting of loans or financial assistance that do not discriminate

on the basis of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,

marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general

administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of ancestral origin, disability,

age, familial status, or on the basis that a tenant or applicant or a member of the household is, or

has been, or is threatened with being the victim of domestic abuse, or that the tenant or applicant

has obtained, or sought, or is seeking relief from any court in the form of a restraining order for

protection from domestic abuse, of the applicant for the loan or financial assistance or of any

existing or prospective owner, lessee, tenant, or occupant of the housing accommodation.

(d) An owner may not refuse to allow a person with a disability to make, at his or her

expense, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the person if

the modifications may be necessary to afford the person full enjoyment of the premises, except that,

in the case of a rental, the owner may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a

modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that

existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Where it is necessary in order

to ensure with reasonable certainty that funds will be available to pay for the restorations at the end

of the tenancy, the landlord may negotiate as part of the restoration agreement a provision requiring

that the tenant pay into an interest bearing escrow account, over a reasonable period, a reasonable

amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restorations. The interest in the account shall accrue

to the benefit of the tenant. The restoration deposition shall be exempt from § 34-18-19(a) but will

be subject to § 34-18-19(b) -- (f).

(e)(1) An owner may not refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies,

practices, or services when those accommodations may be necessary to afford an occupant with a

disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

(2) Every person with a disability who has a guide dog or other personal assistive animal,

or who obtains a guide dog or other personal assistive animal, shall be entitled to full and equal

access to all housing accommodations provided for in this section and shall not be required to pay

extra compensation for the guide dog or other personal assistive animal but shall be liable for any

damage done to the premises by a guide dog or other personal assistive animal. For the purposes

of this subsection, a "personal assistive animal" is an animal specifically trained by a certified

animal training program to assist a person with a disability to perform independent living tasks.

(f) Any housing accommodation of four (4) units or more constructed for first occupancy

after March 13, 1991, shall be designed and constructed in such a manner that:

(1) The public use and common use portions of the dwellings are readily accessible to and

usable by persons with disabilities;

(2) All the doors designed to allow passage into and within all premises within the

dwellings are sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons with disabilities in wheelchairs;

(3) All premises within the dwellings contain the following features of adaptive design:

(i) Accessible route into and through the dwelling;

(ii) Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and other environmental controls in

accessible locations;

(iii) Reinforcements in bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars; and

(iv) Usable kitchens and bathrooms such that an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver

about the space. To the extent that any state or local building codes, statutes, or ordinances are

inconsistent with this section, they are hereby repealed. The state building code standards

committee is hereby directed to adopt rules and regulations consistent with this section as soon as

possible, but no later than September 30, 1990.

(g) Compliance with the appropriate requirements of the state building code 14

"accessibility for individuals with disabilities for residential use groups" suffices to satisfy the

requirements of subsection (f).

(h) As used in subsection (f), the term "housing accommodation of four (4) units or more"

means:

(1) Buildings consisting of four (4) or more units if those buildings have one or more

elevators; and

(2) Ground floor units in other buildings consisting of four (4) or more units;

(i) Nothing in subsection (f) shall be construed to limit any law, statute, or regulation that

requires a greater degree of accessibility to persons with disabilities.

(j) Nothing in this section requires that a dwelling be made available to an individual whose

tenancy would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals or whose tenancy

would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others.

(k) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit an owner, lessee,

sublessee, or assignee from advertising or selecting a person of the same or opposite gender to rent,

lease, or share the housing unit that the owner, lessee, sublessee, or assignee will occupy with the

person selected.

(l) No person shall aid, abet, incite, compel, or coerce the doing of any act declared by this

section to be an unlawful housing practice; or obstruct or prevent any person from complying with

the provisions of this chapter or any order issued thereunder; or attempt directly or indirectly to

commit any act declared by this section to be an unlawful housing practice.

(m) No owner; person defined in § 34-37-3(13); person to whom application is made for a

loan or other form of financial assistance for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair, or

maintenance of any housing accommodation, whether secured or unsecured; no financial

organization governed by the provisions of title 19 or any other credit-granting commercial

institution; or respondent under this chapter; or any agent of these shall discriminate in any manner

against any individual because he or she has opposed any practice forbidden by this chapter, or

because he or she has made a charge, testified, or assisted in any manner in any investigation,

proceeding, or hearing under this chapter.

(n) Nothing in this section shall prevent a landlord from proceeding with eviction action

against a tenant who fails to comply with § 34-18-24(7).

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2022.

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