A newly introduced bill would limit a landlord’s use of credit reports when screening prospective tenants with Section 8 housing vouchers or other government rent subsidies.

The bill, SB 267 by Sen. Susan Eggman, D-Stockton, would only allow the use of credit reports when a voucher or other government rent subsidy is present if the landlord offers the applicant a chance to show other evidence of their ability to pay the rent. If the applicant does so, the landlord would have to consider that evidence in lieu of the applicant’s credit history in deciding whether to proceed with the tenancy.

Last year, a nearly identical bill by Eggman died in the Assembly Housing Committee amid opposition from the California Apartment Association.