HB1214 - Relating to consideration of education-related income in determining eligibility of applicants for residential tenancies.

      By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 1214       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to consideration of education-related income in   determining eligibility of applicants for residential tenancies.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is   amended by adding Section 92.027 to read as follows:           Sec.   92.027.     CONSIDERATION OF APPLICANT'S   EDUCATION-RELATED INCOME.   (a)   In this section, "applicant,"   "landlord," and "rental application" have the meanings assigned by   Section 92.351.           (b)     A landlord who uses an applicant's current income as a   criterion in the determination of whether to approve an application   for occupancy shall:                 (1)     include on a rental application a space labeled   "EDUCATION-RELATED INCOME" for an applicant to provide information   about the applicant's education-related income, including grants,   scholarships, and federal student loans; and                 (2)     consider in the calculation of current income any   education-related income of the applicant provided on the rental   application form.           (c)     A landlord who violates this section is liable for an   amount equal to the sum of $100, three times the amount of any   application fee or deposit, and the applicant's reasonable   attorney's fees.          SECTION 2.  Section 92.3515(a), Property Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  At the time an applicant is provided with a rental   application, the landlord shall make available to the applicant   printed notice of the landlord's tenant selection criteria and the   grounds for which the rental application may be denied, including   the applicant's:                (1)  criminal history;                (2)  previous rental history;                (3)  current income , including education-related   income described by Section 92.027 ;                (4)  credit history; or                (5)  failure to provide accurate or complete   information on the application form.          SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   a rental application provided by a landlord to an applicant on or   after the effective date of this Act.  A rental application provided   by a landlord to an applicant before the effective date of this Act   is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective   date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.