Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink has introduced legislation that would prohibit housing discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status while creating new protections for tenants affected by immigration proceedings.
Bill 38-26, introduced during the July 28 County Council session, is cosponsored by Councilmembers Will Jawando, Kate Stewart, Dawn Luedtke, Shebra Evans and Laurie-Anne Sayles. If approved, the legislation would make it unlawful to discriminate against someone in the sale or rental of housing because of their citizenship or immigration status.
The bill would also allow tenants to terminate a lease early if they are being deported, detained or held for more than 30 days due to immigration proceedings, or if they experience financial hardship because another occupant of the rental property is affected by immigration proceedings.
“This measure will fill an urgent gap in our housing discrimination laws,” Mink said. “Citizenship and immigration status doesn’t tell you anything about how a person is going to be as a tenant or a homebuyer.”
Councilmember Will Jawando said the legislation is intended to provide additional protections for immigrant residents during a period of uncertainty, while Councilmember Kate Stewart said the bill would help ensure access to housing regardless of immigration status.
A public hearing on Bill 38-26 is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
