BILL REQ. #:  S-0954.1 

Read first time 02/04/13.   Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance.

     AN ACT Relating to the disclosure of certain information when screening tenants; and amending RCW 59.18.580.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 59.18.580 and 2004 c 17 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A tenant screening service provider may not disclose (a) a tenant's, applicant's, or household member's status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or (b) that a tenant, applicant, or household member has previously terminated a rental agreement under RCW 59.18.575.
     (2) A landlord may not terminate a tenancy, fail to renew a tenancy, or refuse to enter into a rental agreement based on the tenant's or applicant's or a household member's status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or based on the tenant or applicant having terminated a rental agreement under RCW 59.18.575.
     (((2))) (3) A tenant screening service provider who discloses information in violation of subsection (1) of this section or a landlord who refuses to enter into a rental agreement in violation of subsection (2) of this section may be liable to the tenant or applicant in a civil action for damages sustained by the tenant or applicant. The prevailing party may also recover court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
     (((3))) (4) It is a defense to an unlawful detainer action under chapter 59.12 RCW that the action to remove the tenant and recover possession of the premises is in violation of subsection (((1))) (2) of this section.
     (((4))) (5) This section does not prohibit adverse housing decisions based upon other lawful factors within the landlord's knowledge.