HBA-MPM H.B. 2224 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2224
By: Edwards
Business & Industry
3/29/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Individuals who have previous criminal convictions may be discriminated
against when they are attempting to buy or rent a home.  House Bill 2224
prohibits discrimination against a potential buyer or renter because of a
state or federal criminal conviction. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2224 amends the Property Code to prohibit a person from refusing
to sell or rent after making a bona fide offer, refusing to negotiate the
sale or rental of, or in any other manner making unavailable or denying a
dwelling to another on the basis of a state or federal criminal conviction.
The bill prohibits a person from discriminating against another in the
terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in
providing services or facilities in connection with a sale or rental of a
dwelling on the basis of a state or federal criminal conviction. 

The bill removes a provision specifying that the prohibition against
discrimination does not apply to a person who has been convicted of the
illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance under federal
law or the law of any state. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.