9th Circuit Overturns Part of Seattle Criminal Background Check Law

On Tuesday March 21, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that s key portion of a Seattle law meant to guard against housing discrimination is unconstitutional. In their ruling, they found that barring landlords from asking prospective tenants about “any arrest record, conviction record or criminal history” overly broad and unconstitutional. However, as part of the mixed decision, they upheld the prohibition on taking “adverse action” against a tenant, like refusing to rent to them based on their record.

The city has not stated whether they will change the ordinance and neitherr side has stated if they will appeal.