Socialist Senator Julia Salazar introduces a bill that would prevent homeowners from turning away ex-convicts.

A far-left Brooklyn politician is pushing a “crazy” law that would ban landlords across the state from denying rent to people with a criminal record — even murderers, critics say.

The bill, introduced by Democratic Socialist State Senator Julia Salazar, would provide justice for ex-convicts and others “involved in the criminal justice system” by protecting them from discrimination when seeking housing.

The legislation states that a criminal record is “often used” as an alternative means to mistakenly deny apartments of color to people of color, given that they are “disproportionately affected” by the legal system compared to whites. It does not contain any wording that exempts persons convicted of serious crimes from liability.

State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay told The Post that Salazar’s bill is the latest in “an ever-growing list of delusional democratic ideas designed to help breakers of the law and deprive law-abiding citizens of their fundamental rights.”

“Small landlords who rent out their property should define the criteria for potential tenants, and not be forced to agree to ridiculous conditions dictated by the Albany socialist rent-refusing mob,” Barclay (R-Fulton) was indignant.

Salazar defended the measure, saying that “People…need a place to live after they get out of jail or prison.”


The bill was introduced by Democratic Socialist State Senator Julia Salazar.
Paul Martinka

The bill argues that criminal records are often used by homeowners to reject people of color.
The bill argues that criminal records are often used by homeowners to reject people of color.
Christopher Sadowski

State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay said Salazar's bill was part of
State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay said Salazar’s bill was part of “an ever-growing list of delusional Democratic ideas.”
Hans Pennink

“It’s objectively bad for public safety if they’re homeless,” she added.

Salazar also came under fire on Twitter Thursday after calling the bill the “Heroes Act,” an acronym for the Housing Act for Fair Re-Entry and Opportunities.

Salazar’s legislation is similar to a controversial bill introduced last August by Councilman Keith Powers (D-Manhattan). This bill specifically prohibits Big Apple landlords from conducting background checks on potential tenants for criminal records — even those convicted of murder and other felonies.

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