Revises the Nevada Fair Housing Law. (BDR 10-460)

Existing law sets forth the Nevada Fair Housing Law which prohibits certain discriminatory housing practices. (NRS 118.010-118.120) The Nevada Fair Housing Law prohibits a person from refusing to sell or rent a dwelling to any person on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, familial status or sex. (NRS 118.100) Section 1 of this bill prohibits a landlord from refusing to rent or negotiate for the rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to a corporation that rents a dwelling on behalf of a person with a disability solely because the corporation provides assistance in obtaining housing to a person with a disability. Section 1 requires a landlord to submit a written explanation of the reasons the landlord denied an application to rent a dwelling submitted by such a corporation to the corporation, the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Ombudsman for Owners in Common-Interest Communities and Condominium Hotels within 7 days after the landlord denies such an application. Section 2 of this bill applies the definitions in existing law governing the Nevada Fair Housing Law to the provisions of section 1. Existing law provides a tenant with a defense in a summary proceeding or action for possession of a dwelling if the landlord's attempt to terminate the tenancy or regain possession violates certain provisions that prohibit discriminatory housing practices. (NRS 118.115) Section 3 of this bill applies this provision to a violation of section 1. Existing law authorizes a person to file an action in any district court of this State to enforce certain provisions that prohibit discriminatory housing practices. If the plaintiff prevails, the court may award to the plaintiff actual damages, punitive damages, court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee. (NRS 118.120) Section 4 of this bill authorizes a person to enforce the provisions of section 1 by filing such an action. Existing law prohibits a landlord from taking certain retaliatory actions against a tenant who has complained in good faith to certain persons or entities of a violation of the Nevada Fair Housing Law. (NRS 118A.510) Section 5 of this bill applies this provision to a violation of section 1. Under existing law, a person who claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice is authorized to file a complaint with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission. (NRS 118.110) Under this bill, a person who claims to have been injured by a violation of section 1 is also authorized to file a complaint.