R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-37 § 34-37-4.3
Discrimination in granting credit or loans prohibited
Operative Text
No financial organization governed by the provisions of title 19 or any other credit granting commercial institution may discriminate in the granting or extension of any form of loan or credit, or the privilege or capacity to obtain any form of loan or credit, on the basis of the applicant's sex, marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, race or color, religion or country of ancestral origin, disability or age or familial status, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression and the form of loan and credit shall not be limited to those concerned with housing accommodations and the commission shall prevent any violation hereof in the same manner as it is to prevent unlawful housing practices under the provisions of this chapter.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-37-4.3 prohibits financial organizations and credit-granting commercial institutions from denying or limiting loans or credit based on a person's sex, marital status, veteran or military status, race or color, religion, national origin, disability, age, familial status, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. This protection applies broadly to all forms of credit and loans, not just those related to housing. The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights is empowered to address violations of this provision using the same enforcement mechanisms it uses for unlawful housing practices.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who work with financial institutions or offer seller financing should be aware that § 34-37-4.3 extends anti-discrimination requirements into the credit and lending space, covering the same protected classes found in Rhode Island's fair housing law. Compliant operators ensure that any credit-related decisions or referrals made in connection with a property transaction are free from consideration of an applicant's protected characteristics. Maintaining consistent, documented, and criteria-based underwriting or referral practices helps demonstrate adherence to this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 34-37-4.3, Rhode Island residents have the right to seek loans or credit without being discriminated against on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, sex, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. If a tenant or prospective buyer believes a lender or credit institution has denied or limited credit for a discriminatory reason, one general path is to file a complaint with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights, which enforces this provision. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or fair housing advocacy group can help individuals understand what documentation may be relevant and what options are generally available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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