Final answer:
A licensee must abide by fair housing laws at every level of government, as established by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, to prevent discrimination in housing. These laws ensure equal access regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Licensees have a professional and legal responsibility to conduct business without bias and uphold equity in the housing market.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is a federal law established to prevent discrimination in the sale or rental of housing. A licensee should always abide by fair housing laws at the federal, state, and local levels as they are enacted to ensure that all people have equal access to housing regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Moreover, state and local laws may provide additional protections beyond federal law. These laws forbid discrimination in any aspect of housing and employment decisions and dictate that a licensee must operate without bias, working to uphold the principles of equality and fairness within the housing market. Over the years, while the Fair Housing Act aimed to eliminate practices such as redlining, evidence suggests that housing discrimination persists. Licensees must therefore stay constantly informed and educated about the laws and regulations to ensure compliance and promote fair housing practices. Additionally, laws like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act authorize the federal government to intervene if discrimination occurs.