GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1207, which requires the Commonwealth to develop an affordable housing criminal record screening model policy.

This bill, in practical effect, prohibits an affordable housing provider from inquiring about, requiring disclosure of, or rejecting a housing application based on an applicant's criminal or arrest record unless the provider does so according to such model policy. Further, rental applicants are currently protected by existing fair housing laws related to criminal convictions.   Historically, housing providers participating in federal affordable housing programs have been permitted to deny an applicant on the basis of a criminal background check. This bill could make Virginia’s affordable housing policy inconsistent with what is accepted under federal law and may dissuade housing providers from participating in affordable housing programs.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.