Tenants and landlords - rental application process. The act states that a landlord may not charge a prospective tenant a rental application fee unless the landlord uses the entire amount of the fee to cover the landlord's costs in processing the rental application. A landlord also may not charge a prospective tenant a rental application fee that is in a different amount than a rental application fee charged to another prospective tenant who applies to rent: The same dwelling unit; or If the landlord offers more than one dwelling unit for rent at the same time, any other dwelling unit offered by the landlord. The act requires a landlord to provide to any prospective tenant who has paid a rental application fee either a disclosure of the landlord's anticipated expenses for which the fee will be used or an itemization of the landlord's actual expenses incurred. The landlord is required to make a good-faith effort to refund any unused portion of an application fee within 20 days. The act states that if a landlord uses rental history or credit history as criteria in consideration of an application, the landlord shall not consider any rental history or credit history beyond 7 years immediately preceding the date of the application. If a landlord considers criminal history as a criterion, the landlord shall not consider an arrest record of a prospective tenant from any time or any conviction of a prospective tenant that occurred more than 5 years before the date of the application; except that a landlord may consider any criminal conviction record or deferred judgment relating to certain criminal offenses involving methamphetamine, any offense that required the prospective tenant to register as a sex offender, any offense that is classified as a homicide, or stalking. If a landlord denies a rental application, the landlord shall provide the prospective tenant a written notice of the denial that states the reasons for the denial. A landlord who violates any of the requirements created in the act is liable to the person who is charged a rental application fee for triple the amount of the rental application fee, plus court costs. A landlord who corrects or cures a violation not more than 7 calendar days after receiving notice of the violation is immune from liability. A person who intentionally and in bad faith brings a meritless claim against a landlord is liable for the landlord's court costs and reasonable attorney fees in defending the claim. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
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Juvenile court jurisdiction for guardianship and parental responsibilities proceedings - findings supporting federal special immigrant juvenile classification. The act extends the jurisdiction of the court for guardianship proceedings and proceedings concerning the allocation of parental responsibilities for certain unmarried youth under 21 years of age who meet the requirements for such orders, as well as criteria specified in the act, and for whom findings are sought from the court that may support an application for special immigrant juvenile classification under federal law. The act clarifies that juvenile courts exercising jurisdiction for certain purposes may also enter findings establishing eligibility for special immigrant juvenile classification under federal law.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More