Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Rep. Cruz introduces bill to eliminate rental application fees

Bill is part of Speaker Shekarchi’s legislative package addressing the housing crisis in Rhode Island

 

            STATE HOUSE – Rep. Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket) has introduced legislation (2023-H 6087) which would eliminate housing rental application fees.  The bill is part of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) 14-bill package of legislation to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis.

          “Every day Rhode Islanders are increasingly struggling to provide for their families. When combined with the rising costs of housing and the lack of acceptable and safe inventory, rental application fees are an obstacle and burden for our most vulnerable residents in search of housing. We have heard from families who have spent thousands on rental application fees – without being able to secure an apartment. Eliminating these burdensome fees will help our struggling residents and families during their already frustrating pursuit of housing, and a step in the right direction in leveling the playing field in our state,” said Representative Cruz.

          ​The bill states that a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or designee shall not be allowed to require or demand any prospective tenant to pay a rental application fee. The legislation does not affect a landlord’s ability to charge for a BCI or credit report (which tenants are able to reuse, instead of having to pay for multiple times). The legislation would go into effect on January 1, 2024.

          ​The bill has been referred to the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee and will be heard on March 16.

 

House Speaker Mike Johnson is meeting with Jewish students today at Columbia University in New York as protests continue against Israel's war with Hamas. Hundreds of students have been protesting, sometimes violently, against the Biden administration's response to the Israel-Hamas war, calling for an end to support for Israel. Johnson's office says he plans to discuss what he sees as a "troubling rise of antisemitism on America's college campuses."       Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is on a break today, but a ruling on whether he violated his gag order could be announced. Judge Juan Merchan barred him from criticizing just about anyone connected to the case. Yesterday, Merchan said he's reserving a decision whether Trump violated the order, after prosecutors said he posted about potential witnesses.       The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments on abortion for the first time since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Justices listened to arguments in a case over whether Idaho's strict abortion restrictions conflict with a federal law requiring hospitals to provide patients emergency care. Idaho's law makes it a felony for physicians to perform most abortions except to save the life of the mother.       Ohio is allowing breastfeeding mothers to be excused from jury duty. The law says that if a prospective juror can provide documentation to the judge that they're currently breastfeeding their one-year-old or younger child, they can be excused. the governor signed the bill late yesterday.        A six-term congressman from New Jersey has passed away. Sixty-five-year-old Newark Democrat Donald Payne died after suffering a heart attack earlier this month. The congressman has suffered a series of health issues through the years.       The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs features three games tonight. In the East, the Boston Bruins will head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs for game three. In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights will face off against the Stars in Dallas for game two of their series. Lastly, the Los Angeles Kings will play the Oilers in Edmonton in game two.       

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