Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §4553, sub-§6, as corrected by RR 1999, c. 2, §2, is amended to read:

6. Housing accommodation. "Housing accommodation" includes any building or structure or portion thereof, or any parcel of land, developed or undeveloped, which that is occupied, or is intended to be occupied or to be developed for occupancy, for residential purposes, excepting:

A. The rental of a one-family unit of a 2-family dwelling, one unit of which is occupied by the owner;

B. The rental of not more than 4 rooms of a one-family dwelling which is occupied by the owner; or

C. The rental of any dwelling owned, controlled or operated for other than a commercial purpose, by a religious corporation to its membership unless such membership is restricted on account of race, color or national origin.

SUMMARY

Current law prohibits unlawful discrimination in the sale, rental, lease or management of housing accommodation. The term "housing accommodation" does not currently include the rental of a one-family unit if one unit is owner-occupied or the rental of 4 or fewer rooms of a one-family dwelling that is owner-occupied. This bill eliminates those exclusions.