2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 5: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES › Part 12: HUMAN RIGHTS › Chapter 337: HUMAN RIGHTS ACT › Subchapter 4: FAIR HOUSING › 5 §4581-A. Unlawful housing discrimination

§4581-A. Unlawful housing discrimination
It is unlawful housing discrimination, in violation of this Act:   [PL 2011, c. 613, §11 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 613, §29 (AFF).]
1.  Sale or rental of housing and other prohibited practices.
For any owner, lessee, sublessee, managing agent or other person having the right to sell or rent or manage a housing accommodation, or any agent of these, to:
A. Make or cause to be made any written or oral inquiry concerning the race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status or any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007 of any prospective purchaser, occupant or tenant of the housing accommodation;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §8 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
B. Refuse to show or refuse to sell, rent, lease, let or otherwise deny to or withhold from any person the housing accommodation because of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin or familial status or because the person sought and received an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §8 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
C. Make, print or publish or cause to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement relating to the sale, rental or lease of the housing accommodation that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based upon race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status or any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007 or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §8 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
D. Discriminate against any person because of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin or familial status or because the person sought and received an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007 in the price, terms, conditions or privileges of the sale, rental or lease of any housing accommodations or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection with any housing accommodations; or   [PL 2021, c. 366, §8 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
E. Evict or attempt to evict any tenant of any housing accommodation because of the race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin or familial status of the tenant or because the tenant sought and received an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §8 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
[PL 2021, c. 366, §8 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
2.  Selling, brokering or appraising of housing.
For any real estate broker or real estate salesperson, or any agent of these, to:
A. Fail or refuse to show any person a housing accommodation listed for sale, lease or rent because of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin or familial status or because the person sought and received an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §9 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
B. Misrepresent, for the purpose of discriminating because of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status or any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007, the availability or asking price of a housing accommodation listed for sale, lease or rent or for such reason to fail to communicate to the person having the right to sell, rent or lease the housing accommodation any offer for the same made by any applicant;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §9 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
C. In any other manner to discriminate against any applicant for a housing accommodation because of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin or familial status or because the applicant sought and received an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §9 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
D. Make or cause to be made any written or oral inquiry or record concerning the race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status or any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007 of any applicant for or intended occupant of a housing accommodation; or   [PL 2021, c. 366, §9 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
E. Accept for listing any housing accommodation when the person having the right to sell, rent or lease the housing accommodation has directly or indirectly indicated an intention of discriminating among prospective tenants or purchasers on the ground of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status or any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007, or when the broker or salesperson knows or has reason to know that the person having the right to sell, rent or lease the housing accommodation has made a practice of discrimination since July 1, 1972;   [PL 2021, c. 366, §9 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
[PL 2021, c. 366, §9 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
3.  Making of loans; other financial assistance.
For any person to whom application is made for a loan or other form of financial assistance for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of any housing accommodation, whether secured or unsecured, or agent of the person, to:
A. Make or cause to be made any oral or written inquiry concerning the race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status or any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007 of any applicant for financial assistance or of existing or prospective occupants or tenants of housing accommodations; or   [PL 2021, c. 366, §10 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
B. Discriminate in the granting of financial assistance, or in the terms, conditions or privileges relating to obtaining or the use of any financial assistance, against any applicant because of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status or any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection under Title 19‑A, section 4007; or   [PL 2021, c. 366, §10 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
[PL 2021, c. 366, §10 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).]
4.  Receipt of public assistance.
For any person furnishing rental premises or public accommodations to refuse to rent or impose different terms of tenancy to any individual who is a recipient of federal, state or local public assistance, including medical assistance and housing subsidies, primarily because of the individual's status as recipient.
[PL 2011, c. 613, §11 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 613, §29 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2011, c. 613, §11 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 613, §29 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 366, §§8-10 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 476, §3 (AMD).