Hosting platforms.

Existing law, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, prohibits an owner of housing from engaging in specific acts of discrimination against a person seeking to purchase, rent, or lease any housing accommodation. Existing law authorizes the Department of Fair Employment and Housing to receive and investigate complaints of violations of the act. The act defines "housing accommodation" for these purposes to mean any building, structure, or portion thereof that is occupied as, or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families. Existing law requires a hosting platform, as defined, to provide notice, as specified, to an offeror listing a residence for short-term rental on the hosting platform. This bill would include within the definition of "housing accommodation" under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act a building, structure, or portion thereof that is occupied, or intended to be occupied, pursuant to a transaction facilitated by a hosting platform, as defined. The bill would include findings and declarations regarding the intent of these provisions as they relate to existing housing laws. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 12927 of the Government Code proposed by SB 222 and SB 329 to be operative only if this bill and SB 222 or SB 329 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.