§ 46:8-55 — Application process.

4. a. (1) A housing provider shall not require an applicant to complete any housing application that includes any inquiries regarding an applicant's criminal record prior to the provision of a conditional offer, except that a housing provider may consider whether an applicant has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for the manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing, and whether the applicant is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program. (2) A housing provider shall not make any oral or written inquiry regarding an applicant's criminal record prior to making a conditional offer. (3) An applicant may provide evidence to the housing provider demonstrating inaccuracies within the applicant's criminal record or evidence of rehabilitation or other mitigating factors. b. Prior to accepting any application fee, a housing provider shall disclose in writing to the applicant: (1) Whether the eligibility criteria of the housing provider include the review and consideration of criminal history; and (2) A statement that the applicant, pursuant to subsection a. of this section, may provide evidence demonstrating inaccuracies within the applicant's criminal record or evidence of rehabilitation or other mitigating factors. c. A housing provider shall apply the standards established by this section to each applicant in a nondiscriminatory manner. L.2021, c.110, s.4.