Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination in Real Property Transactions Bill Signed by Governor

On June 29, 2005, I reported on HB1715 relating to sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in real property transactions. The Governor had notified the Legislature that she was considering vetoing the bill. In her message announcing her intent to veto the bill, she stated:
The bill poses complex issues of application and enforcement given the ambiguous and vague nature of its language and fails to provide the public, renters, buyers, sellers, property owners, or the courts with an objective standard to determine if discrimination has occurred in the housing marketplace.
There was an issue whether this bill could be legally vetoed by the Governor because of a typo in the notice of intent to veto the Bill. However, on July 11, 2005, the Governor signed the bill and it became Act 214 effective on July 11, 2005.

A related bill, HB1450, relating to sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment was also on the Governor's list of bills she is considering for veto. On July 11, 2005, the Governor vetoed the bill. The Legislature did not vote to override the veto.