HB1625: Fair housing protections; allows localities to expand beyond classes protected by state law.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1625
Offered January 14, 2009
Prefiled December 2, 2008
A BILL to amend and reenact § 36-96.21 of the Code of Virginia, relating to housing; local government powers; fair housing protections.
Patron-- Englin
Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 36-96.21 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 36-96.21. Powers of counties, cities and towns.

A. Any county, city or town which that has any ordinance in effect on January 1, 1991, enacted under the Virginia Fair Housing Law (§ 36-86 et seq.), the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.), or any other applicable state law may continue to enforce such ordinance and may amend the ordinance, provided the amendment is not inconsistent with this chapter. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any county, city or town under this subsection from submitting amended ordinances to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§ 3604-3606), as amended.

B. The governing body of any county, city or town may enact ordinances in accordance with the provisions of this chapter provided that (i) such ordinances conform to this chapter and are enacted prior to September 30, 1992, and (ii) such amended ordinances are submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a determination of substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§ 3604-3606), as amended.