Counties Support Additional Tools To Prevent Housing Discrimination

On January 31, 2023, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko submitted testimony to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB 0047 – Evidence – Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance – Fair Housing Testing.

This bill expands the lawful interceptions of wire, oral, or electronic communication to include those used as evidence by fair housing testing programs operated by federal, state, and local government. SB 0047 essentially provides counties with an additional tool in the enforcement of fair housing standards, and in doing so, enables local jurisdictions to better address the current housing crisis.

From the MACo Testimony:

With today’s housing scarcity, it is challenging enough for many to find a home, let alone contend with the possible burdens of discrimination. SB 47 would provide an important tool for jurisdictions seeking to take direct action in the detection and prevention of discrimination in their local housing markets. The bill strikes a balance, limiting the scope of who can legally record calls when testing for compliance with federal, state, and local fair housing policies.