Bill Text: VA HB192 | 2010 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Fair Housing Board; establishes educational materials on Fair Housing Law.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-04-11 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0620) [HB192 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2010-HB192-Comm_Sub.html
10105454D
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §§54.1-2343 and 54.1-2344 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 23.2 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2344.1 as follows: §54.1-2343. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Board" means the Fair Housing Board. "Fair Housing Law" means the provisions of Chapter 5.1 (§36-96.1 et seq.) of Title 36. "Person in the business or activity of selling or renting dwellings" means any person who (i) within each of the preceding two years has participated as a principal in transactions involving the sale or rental of three or more dwellings or any interest therein without engaging a real estate broker or (ii) is the owner of any combination of residential dwelling units occupied by five or more families. Any person involved in the sale of a dwelling unit or interest therein pursuant to a deed of trust or other lien on such property shall be exempted. §54.1-2344. Fair Housing Board; membership; terms; chairman; powers and duties; penalty. A. The Fair Housing Board shall be composed of 12 members, to be appointed by the Governor, as follows: one representative of local government, one architect licensed in accordance with Chapter 4 (§54.1-400 et seq.) of this title, one representative of the mortgage lending industry, one representative of the property and casualty insurance industry, two representatives of the residential property management industry not licensed in accordance with Chapter 21 (§54.1-2100 et seq.) of this title, at least one of whom is a member of a property owners' association or condominium unit owners' association, one contractor licensed in accordance with Chapter 11 (§54.1-1100 et seq.) of this title, one representative of the disability community, one representative of the residential land lease industry subject to Chapter 13.3 (§55-248.41 et seq.) of Title 55, and three citizen members selected in accordance with §54.1-107. Initial terms of Board members shall be as follows: four members shall be appointed for a term of four years; four members shall be appointed for a term of three years, and three members shall be appointed for a term of two years. Thereafter, all terms of Board members shall be for terms of four years. B. The Board shall elect a chairman from its membership. C. The Board shall adopt a seal by which it shall authenticate its proceedings. D. The Board shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Fair Housing Law. However, the Board shall have no authority with respect to a real estate broker, real estate salesperson, real estate brokerage firm licensed in accordance with Chapter 21 (§54.1-2100 et seq.), or their agents or employees who have allegedly violated, or who have in fact violated, the Fair Housing Law. The Board shall No education-based program established by the Board shall require Board certification or registration where an individual holds a valid license issued by the Real Estate Board. Any courses approved by the Real Estate Board to meet the fair housing requirement of §54.1-2105.03 and the instructors approved by the Real Estate Board to teach continuing education courses in accordance with §54.1-2105.02 shall not require additional approval by the Fair Housing Board to meet any education requirements in this section and in the regulations of the Fair Housing Board. §54.1-2344.1. Fair Housing Fund established. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Fair Housing Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All civil penalties for noncompliance with the Fair Housing Law certification requirement established in §54.1-2344 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of improving the educational programs on fair housing law. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the chairman of the Board. |