JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri House has passed House Bills 595 & 343, legislation designed to prevent local governments from imposing certain rental regulations on landlords. Sponsored by State Rep. Chris Brown, the bill seeks to protect property owners’ rights by prohibiting municipalities from enforcing ordinances that:
- Require landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers.
- Restrict landlords from screening tenants based on income, credit history, eviction history, or criminal background.
- Limit security deposit amounts.
- Grant tenants an automatic right of first refusal to rental properties.
HBs 595 & 343 is a response to recent local ordinances, including one in Kansas City, that require landlords to participate in federal housing assistance programs. Supporters of the bill argue that such mandates infringe on private property rights, burden landlords with excessive regulations, and could ultimately reduce the availability of rental housing.
“This is a property rights issue at its core,” Rep. Brown, R-Kansas City, said. “Landlords should have the freedom to decide how they manage their properties without being forced into federal housing programs or restricted in how they screen tenants. These regulations drive small landlords out of the market, making rental housing even scarcer and more expensive.”
With a House vote of 104-38, HBs 595 & 343 now moves to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.
Representative Chris Brown, a Republican, represents Clay County (District 16) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2020. For more information, please contact Rep. Brown’s office at 573-751-9458 or by email at Chris.Brown@House.Mo.Gov.