Calderon Bill Creating Statewide Ban on Reporting Tenant Immigration Statuses Signed by Governor Brown

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 299, a measure authored by Majority Leader Ian Calderon that would bar all public entities from compelling rental property owners and managers to obtain information, or take any action based on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant or prospective tenant, was signed into law today by Governor Brown.

“AB 299 reassures owners and property managers that they can continue to make leasing decisions based upon proper financial and personal qualifications and other health and safety standards without the threat of a lawsuit or administrative recourse,” stated Majority Leader Calderon. “Those seeking housing should not face discrimination because of their immigration status or live in fear that they could be reported to authorities.”

Current law prohibits cities and counties from requiring rental property owners to collect citizenship status from tenants or prospective tenants. AB 299 is a natural expansion of the current law to prohibit not just cities and counties from this kind of immigration status discrimination, but also all public entities from compelling rental property owners and managers to compile, disclose, report, provide any information, or otherwise take any action, including possibly denying accommodations, based on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant or prospective tenant.

AB 299 received support from  the Apartment Association of California Los Angeles, Orange County, and Southern Cities, as well as the California Apartment Association, California Federation of Teachers, East Bay Rental Housing Association, National Association of Social Workers – California Chapter, North Valley Property Owner’s Association, and the Santa Barbara Rental Property Association.