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.