Inquiries Regarding Persons with Disabilities

PURPOSE: This rule clarifies lawful and unlawful inquiries regarding the disabilities of an applicant for a dwelling, a person intending to reside in that dwelling, or any person associated with that person. (1) It shall be unlawful to make inquiry to determine whether an applicant for a dwelling, a person intending to reside in that dwelling after it is so sold, rented, or made available, or any person associated with that person, has a disability or to make inquiry as to the nature or severity of a disability the person may have. However, this section does not prohibit the following inquiries, provided these inquiries are made of all applicants, whether or not they have disabilities: (A) Is an applicant able to meet the requirements of ownership or tenancy? (B) Is an applicant qualified for a dwelling available only to persons with disabilities or to persons with a particular type of disability? (C) Is an applicant for a dwelling qualified for a priority available to persons with disabilities or to persons with a particular type of disability? (D) Is an applicant for a dwelling a current illegal abuser or addict of a controlled substance? and (E) Has an applicant been convicted of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance? AUTHORITY: sections 213.030 and 213.040, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Dec. 2, 1992, effective June 7, 1993. Amended: Filed March 16, 2009, effective Sept. 30, 2009. *Original authority: 213.030, RSMo 1959, amended 1978, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998 and 213.040, RSMo 1986, amended 1992, 1998.