Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits cities or municipalities from enforcing laws against landlords for refusing to rent to would-be tenants based on the source of their income or other restrictions relating to security deposits in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any county or city, or county or city with a charter form of government, from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that (Sec. A):

• Prohibits landlords from refusing to lease or rent a privately owned, single- family, or multiple-unit residential or commercial rental property to a person because the person's lawful source of income to pay rent includes funding from a federal housing assistance program;

• Prohibits landlords from using income-qualifying methods, credit scores, credit reports, eviction or property damage history, or prohibits landlords from requesting such information, to determine whether to rent or lease a property to a prospective tenant;

• Prohibits landlords from requesting criminal records from a prospective tenant;

• Limits the amount of security deposit a landlord may require from a prospective tenant; or

• Requires tenants to automatically receive the right of first refusal.

• Specifies that this Act shall not be construed as prohibiting any county or city, or any authority created by a county or city for that purpose, from (Sec. A):

• Regulating in any way property belonging to that city, county, or authority;

• Entering into agreements with private persons which regulate the amount of rent charged for subsidized rental properties; or

• Enacting ordinances or resolutions restricting rent for properties assisted with community development block grant funds.

Full Bill Text