New York S 8444: Prohibits discrimination based upon housing status

Bill Text

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S08444 Summary:

BILL NOS08444 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A08913

&nbsp

SPONSORSEPULVEDA

&nbsp

COSPNSRCLEARE, HARCKHAM, MYRIE

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

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Amd §§63, 291, 292, 295, 296, 296-a & 296-c, Exec L; amd §40-c, Civ Rts L; amd §313, Ed L

&nbsp

Prohibits discrimination based upon housing status.

Go to top S08444 Actions:

BILL NOS08444 

&nbsp

06/18/2025REFERRED TO RULES

01/07/2026REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Go to topS08444 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS08444 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS08444 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 8444

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 June 18, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

 AN ACT to amend the executive law, the civil rights law and the educa-
 tion law, in relation to prohibiting discrimination based on housing
 status

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature reaffirms
 2 that the state has the responsibility to act to assure that every indi-
 3 vidual within this state is afforded an equal opportunity to enjoy a
 4 full and productive life, and that the failure to provide such equal
 5 opportunity, whether because of discrimination, prejudice, intolerance,
 6 or inadequate education, training, housing or health care not only
 7 threatens the rights and proper privileges of its inhabitants but
 8 menaces the institutions and foundation of a free democratic state and
 9 threatens the peace, order, health, safety and general welfare of the
 10 state and its inhabitants.
 11 The legislature further finds that many residents of this state have
 12 encountered prejudice on account of housing status, and that this preju-
 13 dice has severely limited or actually prevented access to employment,
 14 housing and other basic necessities of life, leading to deprivation and
 15 suffering. The legislature further recognizes that this prejudice has
 16 fostered a general climate of hostility and distrust, leading in some
 17 instances to physical violence against those perceived to be experienc-
 18 ing homelessness.
 19 This legislation is intended to codify this principle and to ensure
 20 that the public understands that discrimination on the basis of some-
 21 one's housing status is prohibited.
 22 § 2. Subdivisions 9 and 10 of section 63 of the executive law, as
 23 amended by chapter 748 of the laws of 2022, are amended to read as
 24 follows:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD13045-02-5

 S. 8444 2

 1 9. Bring and prosecute or defend upon request of the commissioner of
 2 labor or the state division of human rights, any civil action or
 3 proceeding, the institution or defense of which in [his] such attorney
 4 general's judgment is necessary for effective enforcement of the laws of
 5 this state against discrimination by reason of age, race, sex, creed,
 6 color, national origin, sexual orientation, housing status, gender iden-
 7 tity or expression, military status, disability, predisposing genetic
 8 characteristics, familial status, marital status, citizenship or immi-
 9 gration status, or domestic violence victim status, or for enforcement
 10 of any order or determination of such commissioner or division made
 11 pursuant to such laws.
 12 10. Prosecute every person charged with the commission of a criminal
 13 offense in violation of any of the laws of this state against discrimi-
 14 nation because of age, race, sex, creed, color, national origin, sexual
 15 orientation, housing status, gender identity or expression, military
 16 status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial
 17 status, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, or domestic
 18 violence victim status, in any case where in [his] such attorney gener-
 19 al's judgment, because of the extent of the offense, such prosecution
 20 cannot be effectively carried on by the district attorney of the county
 21 wherein the offense or a portion th