House amends bill to add 'housing status' to state anti-discrimination laws

Representative Stevens, reporting for the House General and Housing Committee, said H.132 does not include the broader 'bill of rights' originally discussed but instead adds "housing status" — defined in the bill by reference to 42 U.S.C. 11302 — as a protected characteristic in a range of Vermont statutes. Stevens described the committee's decision to narrow the bill because of constitutional and practical considerations and walked the House through amendments to several state statutes, including 9 V.S.A. sections on Fair Housing and Public Accommodations and provisions affecting the Vermont Housing Finance Agency and state employment and benefits statutes.

Stevens said the committee heard from a range of stakeholders and advocates and that the changes would add housing status to definitions and protected-class lists across multiple statutes. On the floor a member asked whether individual private landlords or realtors would face liability if they declined to rent to someone who identified as homeless; Stevens replied, "I can't guarantee anything, madam speaker," and explained the committee's intent to limit scope by adding housing status to existing antidiscrimination statutes rather than creating a standalone bill of rights.

Members also questioned which sectors were consulted; Stevens said witnesses from city and town leagues, business associations, homelessness advocacy groups, the Human Rights Commission and law staff were invited to testify. The House adopted the committee's recommended amendment by voice vote and ordered third reading. The bill lists an effective date of July 1, 2024 in the text presented on the floor.