Fair Chance at Housing Act of 2019

To reform the screening and eviction policies for Federal housing assistance in order to provide fair access to housing, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fair Chance at Housing Act of 2019 2. Data collection; compliance; definitions Subtitle F of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661 (1) in section 578(c) ( 42 U.S.C. 13663(c) section 579(a)(2) section 579B(3) (2) by redesignating section 579 as section 579B; (3) by inserting after section 578 ( 42 U.S.C. 13663 579. Data collection (a) Applications (1) In general The Secretary shall require each public housing agency and owner to submit a report to the Secretary on an annual basis that contains the following information for the preceding 12-month reporting period: (A) The number of applications for admission to federally assisted housing or a federally assisted housing program reviewed by the public housing agency, including by the review panel of the public housing agency, or owner. (B) The number of applications for admission to federally assisted housing or a federally assisted housing program reviewed by the public housing agency, including by the review panel of the public housing agency, or owner for covered criminal conduct. (C) The number of denials of applications for admission to federally assisted housing or a federally assisted housing program rendered by the public housing agency or owner on the basis of covered criminal conduct. (D) The number of denials described in subparagraph (C) pursuant to which the applicant filed a request for informal review. (E) The number of denials described in subparagraph (C) that were overturned following informal review. (F) The information required under subparagraphs (A) through (E) disaggregated by the race of the applicant, the ethnicity of the applicant, the sex of the applicant, and whether the applicant had a disability as defined by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794 (2) Confidentiality The information collected pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be subject to the same confidentiality requirements of section 576(b)(2)(F) that are applicable to information gathered in the process of screening for criminal convictions. (b) Terminations The Secretary shall require each public housing agency and owner to submit a report to the Secretary on an annual basis that contains the following information for the preceding 12-month reporting period: (1) The number of terminations of tenancy and terminations of assistance initiated by the public housing agency or owner. (2) The number of terminations of tenancy and terminations of assistance rendered by the public housing agency or owner on the basis of covered criminal activity. (3) For each termination of tenancy or assistance based on covered criminal conduct, the specific type or types of covered criminal conduct involved, including the disposition of any criminal charges against the tenant or participant. (4) The information required under paragraphs (1) through (3) disaggregated by the race of the applicant, the ethnicity of the applicant, the sex of the applicant, and whether the applicant had a disability as defined by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794 ; (4) by inserting after section 579, as added by paragraph (3), the following: 579A. Compliance A public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing, as applicable, shall be solely responsible for compliance with the requirements of this subtitle, notwithstanding the use of any third party for such purposes. In a case of failure of a public housing agency or owner to comply with the requirements of this subtitle, the Secretary may withhold funds made available for the federally assisted housing program under which the failure to comply occurred from the agency or owner. ; and (5) in section 579B, as so redesignated— (A) by striking (a) Definitions (B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) Conviction (A) In general The term conviction (B) Exclusions Such term does not include— (i) an arrest or any disposition therefrom that did not result in a conviction; (ii) any criminal disposition for an offense committed prior to the defendant’s 18th birthday; (iii) a conviction that has been expunged, sealed, or subject to similar judicial relief; (iv) a disposition received through successful completion of diversion, deferred adjudication, deferred entry of judgment, drug court, or similar judicial program under State law; or (v) any other criminal disposition not deemed a conviction under State or Federal law. ; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Covered criminal conduct (A) Admission to federally assisted housing (i) In general The term covered criminal conduct (I) for which the applicant or a member of the household of the applicant has been convicted of a felony under State or Federal criminal law; and (II) that threatens the health or safety of other tenants, the employees, or the owner or public housing agency. (ii) Exclusions Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such term does not include, with respect to admission to federally assisted housing— (I) a conviction for a drug offense for which the person served a sentence of less than 10 years; (II) an offense or offenses related to fees or back payments associated with incarceration; (III) any other legal financial obligation; or (IV) a conviction for which the person was sentenced only to probation. (B) Termination of tenancy or assistance (i) In general The term covered criminal conduct (I) means, with respect to termination of tenancy or assistance, criminal conduct committed by the tenant or any member of the household of the tenant while receiving Federal housing assistance, that threatens the health or safety of other tenants, the employees, or the owner or public housing agency; and (II) includes criminal conduct described in section 16(f)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437n(f)(1) (ii) Exclusions Such term does not include, with respect to termination of tenancy or assistance— (I) a misdemeanor; (II) an arrest for an offense for which the applicant was not subsequently adjudicated or convicted; (III) any juvenile adjudication or conviction, including convictions where a juvenile was tried as an adult; (IV) a conviction that has been expunged, sealed, or subject to similar judicial relief under State law; (V) criminal citations or infractions regardless of classification; (VI) non-criminal citations; (VII) a disposition received through successful completion of diversion, deferred adjudication, deferred entry of judgment, drug court, or similar judicial program under State law; (VIII) a conviction for which the person was sentenced only to probation; (IX) an offense or offenses related to fees or back payments associated with incarceration; (X) child support payments or back pay associated with barriers, including incarceration, homelessness, unemployment, or disability; or (XI) disciplinary infractions committed by elementary or secondary school students, or school related issues that are not criminal in nature, but may have led to justice involvement. ; (E) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated— (i) in subparagraph (G), by inserting or (ii) in subparagraph (H), by striking ; or (iii) by striking subparagraph (I); and (F) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by adding after the period at the end the following: For purposes of sections 576 and 577, such term does not include an owner of federally assisted housing described in paragraph (3)(B). 3. Screening of applicants for federally assisted housing (a) Screening of applicants Section 576 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661 576. Screening of applicants for federally assisted housing (a) Authority To deny admission for criminal conduct Except as otherwise provided by this section and in addition to any other authority to screen applicants, in selecting among applicants for admission to federally assisted housing or a federally assisted housing program, including persons seeking to join a household currently receiving Federal housing assistance, a public housing agency or owner of such housing (as applicable) may deny an applicant admission to the program or to federally assisted housing based on any criminal conduct only if the agency or owner determines, based on an individualized review of the totality of the circumstances, that the applicant or any member of the household of the applicant was engaged in covered criminal conduct, within a reasonable period of time preceding the date on which the applicant household would otherwise be admitted to the federally assisted housing or to the program. (b) Individualized review of the totality of the circumstances (1) Requirement Before denying admission to an applicant pursuant to subsection (a), a public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing shall conduct an individualized review of the totality of the circumstances regarding the criminal conduct at issue. (2) Review panel for public housing and tenant-based rental assistance applicants (A) In general (i) Guidance for review panel The Secretary shall issue guidance requiring each public housing agency to establish a review panel to conduct the individualized review required under paragraph (1) with respect to applications for federally assisted housing specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 579B(3). (ii) Mitigating evidence An applicant may present mitigating evidence for the review panel to determine whether the applicant should be admitted. (B) Membership Each review panel described in this paragraph shall include not less than 1 resident representative. (C) Notice Applicants shall be notified in writing of their panel review not less than 14 days before date of the review, and notice shall be provided in accordance with subsection (c). (D) Conviction information (i) In general A public housing agency shall produce a detailed criminal conviction report to be used by the review panel in the review process. (ii) Correction of errors If an applicant identifies an error on the criminal conviction report used by the review panel, the applicant shall have the opportunity to defer his or her application prior to panel review to correct the report. (iii) Sharing A report described in this subparagraph shall be shared only with the applicant and members of the review panel. (E) Burden of proof A public housing agency may not deny admission to an applicant unless the agency determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the criminal conduct of the applicant renders the applicant unfit for housing. (F) Confidentiality (i) Requirement All information gathered in the process of screening for criminal convictions shall be kept confidential and shall not be released unless the applicant agrees in writing or the release of the information is otherwise required by law. (ii) Policy Public housing agencies shall establish a formal confidentiality policy with respect to screening for criminal convictions. (G) Decision-making process A review panel described in this paragraph shall— (i) review the circumstances of an applicant and other available information, including any information the applicant chooses to bring to the attention of the review panel; and (ii) not later than 7 days after the date on which the review begins, the review panel shall review all relevant information and determine whether, by a preponderance of the evidence, the criminal record of the applicant renders the applicant unfit for housing. (H) Appeals (i) In general Each applicant shall have a right to appeal a decision by a review panel under this paragraph to deny admission to housing, in accordance with any applicable regulations. (ii) Appeal An applicant shall have 14 days to appeal the determination made under subparagraph (G)(ii) and a request for such an appeal shall be made in writing. (iii) Hearing Pursuant to a request made under clause (ii), the public housing agency shall hold an informal hearing and decide whether to uphold the initial determination within 7 days after the hearing. (iv) Reservation of assistance The public housing agency shall hold the dwelling unit open or shall reserve the assistance under the federally assisted housing program, as the case may be, during the entire time of the appeals process under this subparagraph. (3) Non-discrimination When conducting an individualized review under this section, a public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing shall comply with applicable civil rights requirements under the Fair Housing Act ( 42 U.S.C. 3601 42 U.S.C. 2000d 29 U.S.C. 794 42 U.S.C. 12131 (4) Review factors In conducting the reviews required under paragraph (1), the public housing agency or owner shall consider the following factors holistically, such that no single factor is dispositive: (A) Severity The severity of the criminal offense or offenses committed. (B) Time elapsed The amount of time elapsed since the criminal offense or offenses were committed. (C) Evidence of rehabilitation Evidence of rehabilitation, including— (i) the satisfactory compliance of a person with all terms and conditions of parole or probation, provided that the failure of the person to pay fines, fees, and restitution shall not be considered noncompliance with terms and conditions of parole or probation; (ii) educational attainment or vocational or professional training, or employment since conviction, including training received or employment while incarcerated; (iii) completion of or active participation in rehabilitative treatment, including alcohol or drug treatment; (iv) letters of recommendation from community organizations, counselors, case managers, teachers, community leaders, parole officers, and probation officers who have observed the person; (v) the familial relationship of a person with a person who may be currently residing in the dwelling unit in federally assisted housing that the applicant is applying for residence in; or (vi) the age of the person at the time of the conviction. (D) Reduction in sentence Whether the applicant received a reduced sentence for the criminal offense or offenses committed. (E) Nature of offense The nature of the criminal offense, which shall include the following: (i) Offenses related to an individual’s disability status Whether the criminal offense or offenses— (I) were committed by a member of the household who is an individual with disabilities who is entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act ( 42 U.S.C. 3601 29 U.S.C. 794 (II) are related to or resulted from a symptom of a disability of the member of the household who committed the criminal offense or offenses. (ii) Proximity to assisted housing Whether the criminal offense or offenses occurred on or near the federally assisted housing to which the application of the applicant relates, if applicable. (iii) Offenses related to an individual’s status as a victim of domestic violence Whether the criminal offense or offenses committed arose from the status of a member of the household as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, as those terms are defined in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ( 34 U.S.C. 12291 (F) Other mitigating information Any other mitigating information provided by the applicant, or provided on behalf of the applicant, including any information regarding the rehabilitation or good conduct of the member of the household who committed the criminal offense or offenses. (5) Guidance The Secretary shall issue guidance for public housing agencies and owners to implement the requirement to conduct individualized reviews in accordance with this section. (c) Notices The Secretary shall require each public housing agency and owner of federally assisted housing to provide— (1) to each new applicant and each applicant upon selection from the wait list for admission to federally assisted housing or to a federally assisted housing program, at the time of application and selection from the wait list, written notice of the policy of the agency or owner pursuant to this subtitle or any other provision of law regarding denial of admission for criminal conduct, which shall include— (A) notice of the authority under subsection (a) to deny admission based on covered criminal conduct and notice of the specific reasonable time period to which such authority applies; (B) notice of the requirement under subsection (b) to consider the totality of the circumstances and the right under subsection (b)(4) to present mitigating evidence; and (C) when applicable— (i) a criminal conviction report that the public housing agency plans to provide to the review panel to be used in the individualized review of the applicant or a member of the household of the applicant; and (ii) notice of right of a tenant to appear at the review panel and correct inaccuracies in his or her criminal conviction report; and (2) to an applicant, upon denial of an application for admission to federally assisted housing or to a federally assisted housing program— (A) written notice of— (i) the reason for the denial, including the specific criminal conduct on which the denial is based; and (ii) the actions that the applicant may take to appeal the denial; and (B) a copy of any documents that the public housing agency or owner used to support its determination of criminal conduct. (d) Opportunity To remove culpable household member (1) In general In the case of any covered criminal conduct described in subsection (a) warranting denial of admission to federally assisted housing, the public housing agency or owner shall, before denying admission to the entire applicant household, provide the applicant household with the option of removing from the household the member or members who would be cause for the denial in order for the remainder of the household to be eligible for admission, and may only deny admission if the applicant household refuses to exercise that option. (2) Notice A public housing agency or owner shall provide the applicant household with written notice of the option required under paragraph (1) within a reasonable time before notice of an adverse action relating to covered criminal conduct described in subsection (a). (e) Prohibition on drug and alcohol testing Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing may not require drug or alcohol testing of any applicant for admission to federally assisted housing or a federally assisted housing program as a condition of that housing assistance. (f) Compliance with limited English proficiency requirements Any notice required under this section to be provided to an applicant or applicant household shall be provided in multiple languages, consistent with guidance issued by the Secretary in accordance with Executive Order 13166 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000d–1 . (b) Guidance Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, after consultation with the Attorney General and an opportunity for public comment on the proposed guidance, shall issue the following guidance: (1) Individualized reviews regarding the totality of the circumstances Guidance required under paragraph (5) of section 576(b) of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661(b) (2) Model notice to applicants Guidance setting forth model notification forms for use by public housing agencies and owners of federally assisted housing in meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of section 576 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661 4. Requirements for termination of tenancy and assistance for covered criminal conduct by tenants of federally assisted housing (a) Requirements for termination Section 577 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13662 577. Requirements for termination of tenancy and assistance for covered criminal conduct by tenants of federally assisted housing (a) Authority To terminate for criminal conduct A public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing may not terminate the tenancy of any tenant of federally assisted housing, or assistance for a household under any federally assisted housing program, based on any criminal conduct unless the agency or owner, as applicable, determines in accordance with this section that the conduct is covered criminal conduct, as defined in section 579B. (b) Individualized review of the totality of the circumstances (1) Requirement In determining whether to terminate tenancy or assistance to any household based on covered criminal conduct by a household member or any guest or other person under the control of a household member, a public housing agency or an owner of federally assisted housing shall conduct an individualized review of the totality of the circumstances regarding the criminal conduct at issue, taking into consideration the need of the household for housing and the health and safety of the community. (2) Mitigating factors In conducting reviews required under paragraph (1), a public housing agency or owner shall consider all factors presented, including all of the factors specified in section 576(b)(4), as appropriate, except that, for purposes of this paragraph— (A) subparagraph (C)(v) of such section shall be applied by substituting a member of the household the applicant (B) subparagraph (E)(ii) of such section shall be applied by substituting in which the household resides to which the application of the applicant relates (if applicable) (3) Nondiscrimination When conducting an individualized review under this section, a public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing shall comply with applicable civil rights requirements under the Fair Housing Act ( 42 U.S.C. 3601 42 U.S.C. 2000d 29 U.S.C. 794 42 U.S.C. 12131 (4) Investigations and evidence presented by public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing (A) Forced entry If conducting an investigation into alleged criminal conduct committed by a tenant or member of household of the tenant, the public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing may not enter the rental property unless entry is authorized by the tenant or a member of the household of the tenant. (B) Evidence presented by public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing If presenting evidence during the individualized review to demonstrate that a household member or any guest or other person under the control of a household member engaged in covered criminal conduct, the public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing may only present substantiated evidence. (5) Guidance The Secretary shall issue guidance for public housing agencies and owners to implement the requirement to conduct individualized reviews in accordance with this subsection. (c) Option To remove culpable household member (1) In general In the case of any covered criminal conduct warranting termination of tenancy or assistance, the public housing agency or owner— (A) shall, before proceeding with eviction or termination proceedings against the entire tenant household, provide the tenant with the option of removing from the household the member that is culpable for the conduct that warrants the termination in order for the remainder of the household to continue to reside in the assisted unit; and (B) may only proceed with eviction proceedings if the tenant refuses to exercise the option described in subparagraph (A). (2) Lease or voucher bifurcation A public housing agency or owner or manager of federally assisted housing may bifurcate a lease for the housing or voucher in order to evict, remove, or terminate assistance to any individual who is a tenant or lawful occupant of the housing and who engages in covered criminal conduct without evicting, removing, terminating assistance to, or otherwise penalizing other household members who are tenants or lawful occupants of the housing. (3) Effect of eviction on other tenants (A) In general If a public housing agency or owner or manager of federally assisted housing evicts, removes, or terminates assistance to an individual under paragraph (2), and the individual is the sole tenant eligible to receive assistance under a federally assisted housing program, the public housing agency or owner or manager of the federally assisted housing shall provide any remaining tenant an opportunity to establish eligibility for the federally assisted housing. (B) Extension If a tenant described in subparagraph (A) cannot establish eligibility, the public housing agency or owner or manager of the housing shall provide the tenant a reasonable time of not less than 120 days, as determined by the Secretary, to find new housing or to establish eligibility for housing under another Federal housing program. (4) Availability of remedies Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall not supersede any protections or remedies available under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ( 34 U.S.C. 12291 (d) Prohibition on drug and alcohol testing Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public housing agency or owner of federally assisted housing may not require drug or alcohol testing of any tenant of federally assisted housing or member of the household of the tenant as a condition of tenancy in that housing or continued receipt of that assistance. . (b) Effective date Section 577 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, shall take effect and apply on the date of enactment of this Act. 5. Eviction standards, lease terms, and other limitations for public housing Section 6 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437d (1) in subsection (k), by striking the matter following paragraph (6); (2) in subsection (l)— (A) in paragraph (5), by inserting , subject to paragraph (6) (B) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following: (6) provide that the public housing agency may not terminate the tenancy based on any criminal conduct unless the agency determines, in accordance with section 577 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13662 ; (C) in the second paragraph designated as paragraph (7) (relating to occupancy in violation of section 576(b) of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998; as added by section 575(b)(4) of such Act ( Public Law 105–276 (i) by striking any occupancy in violation of section 576(b) of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (relating to ineligibility of illegal drug users and alcohol abusers) or (ii) by striking (relating to termination of tenancy and assistance for illegal drug users and alcohol abusers) (iii) by redesignating such paragraph as paragraph (8); and (D) in paragraph (9)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ; or (ii) by striking if such tenant— (A) is fleeing if such tenant is fleeing (iii) by striking paragraph (2); (3) in subsection (t)— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking Obtaining Prohibition on obtaining (B) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting the following: (1) Prohibition (A) In general A public housing agency— (i) may not require a person who applies for admission to public housing to provide consent that authorizes the agency to receive information from a drug abuse treatment facility that is related to— (I) whether the applicant is currently engaging in the illegal use of a controlled substance; or (II) the progress of the applicant in rehabilitation; and (ii) and may not request an applicant to provide the consent described in clause (i). (B) Written consent An applicant may voluntarily provide the information described in subparagraph (A), provide signed written consent for the agency to receive that information, or provide signed written consent for a drug abuse treatment facility to provide that information to an a public housing agency, for purposes of an individualized review under section 576(b) of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661(b) (C) Rule of construction Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to penalize or to authorize any penalty for an applicant for not providing the information or consent described in this paragraph. (2) Expiration of written consent An applicant’s signed written consent provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall expire automatically after the public housing agency has made a final decision to either approve or deny the application of the applicant for admittance to public housing. ; (C) by striking paragraph (6); and (D) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (u) Visitation rights A public housing agency may prohibit visitation of a public housing dwelling unit by a non-tenant on the basis of criminal conduct by the non-tenant only if— (1) the conduct is covered criminal conduct, as defined in section 579B of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998; (2) the agency has thoroughly considered— (A) all mitigating factors, including the same factors with respect to the non-tenant as are required under subsection section 576(b) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 13661(b) (B) the familial relationship between the tenant and the non-tenant as mitigating factors; (3) in the case of any prohibition of visitation by a non-tenant, the agency provides the tenant and non-tenant involved with an opportunity, not less frequently than annually, to request a redetermination with respect to the prohibition at which the tenant and non-tenant may present any new mitigating evidence; (4) the agency has provided the non-tenant with written notice of the decision of the agency to prohibit visitation, that— (A) includes statements identifying the basis for prohibition and setting forth the right of the non-tenant to present mitigating factors to overturn the decision of the agency; and (B) is provided in multiple languages, consistent with guidance issued by the Secretary in accordance with Executive Order 13166 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000d–1 (5) the prohibition ends after a period of time that does not exceed 3 years. (v) Screening and eviction policies for privately managed public housing and housing funded under certain demonstration programs Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including subtitle F of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661 Public Law 104–134 Public Law 112–55 42 U.S.C. 13661 . 6. Termination of tenancy and tenant selection under section 8 rental assistance program Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437f (1) in subsection (d)(1)(B)— (A) in clause (ii), by inserting , subject to clause (iii) (B) by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following: (iii) during the term of the lease, the owner may not terminate the tenancy based on any criminal conduct unless the owner determines, in accordance with section 577 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13662 ; (2) in subsection (o)(6)(B)— (A) by striking (B) Selection of tenants (B) Selection of tenants (i) Function of owner Each ; (B) in clause (i), as so designated— (i) by striking dwelling unit) dwelling unit (ii) by inserting after shall be the function of the owner. Any owner that screens applicants based on the criminal background of the applicant or any member of the applicant household, or other permissible grounds for denial under subtitle F of title V of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661 42 U.S.C. 2000d–1 (C) by striking In addition (ii) Screening In addition ; (D) in clause (ii), as so designated, by inserting before the period at the end the following: , except that a public housing agency may not elect to screen applicants for the program based on criminal conduct. The preceding sentence may not be construed to limit or affect the authority of a public housing agency under section 576 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 13661 (E) by adding at the end the following: (iii) Existing assisted families Previously assisted or subsidized families being provided with tenant protection assistance authorized by law (including tenant protection vouchers, enhanced vouchers under subsection (t), or project-based vouchers under subsection (o)(13)), families who are porting their vouchers to a new jurisdiction, and assisted families who are moving to redeveloped public housing (including any units with assistance converted under the Rental Assistance Demonstration program authorized under title II of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (division C of Public Law 112–55 ; and (3) in subsection (q)(2)(B), by inserting before the semicolon the following: , except that persons who have exited a jail or prison shall be considered, for purposes of this subparagraph, to be experiencing difficulty in obtaining appropriate housing under the programs as determined by the Secretary 7. Screening and termination of tenancy in rural housing programs (a) Covered rural housing programs In this section, the term covered rural housing programs (1) the program under section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 ( 42 U.S.C. 1485 (2) the loan and grant programs under sections 514 and 516 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1484 (3) the program under section 533 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1490m (4) the program under section 538 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1490p–2 (5) the program under section 521(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1490a (6) the program under section 542 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1490r (b) Regulations The Secretary of Agriculture shall— (1) revise the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture regarding screening of applicants for admission to housing assisted, and for housing assistance, under the covered rural housing programs to provide that those regulations are substantially similar to the regulations of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development relating to screening of applicants for admission to federally assisted housing and to federally assisted housing programs, pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437 42 U.S.C. 13661 (2) revise the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture regarding termination of tenancy in housing assisted, and termination of housing assistance, under the covered rural housing programs to provide that those regulations are substantially similar to the regulations of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development relating to termination of tenancy in federally assisted housing, and termination of housing assistance, pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437 42 U.S.C. 13661 (c) Timing; consultation The Secretary of Agriculture shall issue the revised regulations required under subsection (b)— (1) after consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) not later than 180 days after the date described in section 10. 8. No interference with State or local regulatory authority This Act and the amendments made by this Act may not be construed to preempt any State or local regulations or requirements that do not prevent the application of the provisions of this Act or such amendments. 9. Regulations Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out the amendments made by sections 2 through 6 of this Act (other than the amendment made by section 2(4)). 10. Effective date Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Act, the amendments made by this Act shall be made on, and shall apply beginning upon, the effective date of the regulations issued pursuant to section 9.

Summary: Fair Chance at Housing Act of 2019 This bill limits the authority of public housing agencies (PHAs) to deny or terminate federally assisted housing based on criminal conduct by the applicant or tenant.  Specifically, PHAs may deny or terminate assistance based only on criminal conduct that threatens the health or safety of other tenants or the employees or owner of the PHA, excluding misdemeanors and certain other lesser criminal offenses. Furthermore, with respect to applicants, a denial may be based only on a felony conviction other than a conviction for a drug offense for which the individual served less than 10 years. Before denying or terminating assistance based on criminal conduct, a PHA must conduct an individualized review and consider specified factors, including evidence of rehabilitation. PHAs must also give the household an opportunity to remove the culpable member before proceeding with the denial or termination. Additionally, PHAs may not drug test applicants or tenants as a condition of assistance. Under current law, PHAs must deny, and may terminate, federally assisted housing upon a determination that any household member is illegally using a controlled substance. Current law also allows PHAs to take such actions if there is reasonable cause to believe that a household member's illegal use of a controlled substance or abuse of alcohol may interfere with the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents. Further, tenants evicted on the basis of drug-related criminal activity are not eligible under current law for federally assisted housing for three years, unless the tenant successfully completes a rehabilitation program.