Synopsis
This Act is the Bill of Rights for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness to ensure that all individuals, regardless of housing status, have equal opportunity to live in decent, safe, sanitary, and healthful accommodations and enjoy equality of opportunities. To that end, this Act sets forth the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness and creates a process by which the State Human and Civil Rights Commission and the Division of Human Relations may accept and investigate complaints of discriminatory treatment, attempt conciliation, and refer enforcement actions to the Department of Justice where necessary. This Substitute differs from the original House Bill No. 55 in that it expands the definition of “individuals experiencing homelessness” to include those who may be staying with different friends or family without a permanent home and it eliminates a reference to voting rights, since such rights are addressed elsewhere in the Code.