Nothing in this Act may be construed to prohibit or limit the exercise of the privilege of every person and the agent of any person having the right to sell, rent, lease or manage a housing accommodation to set up and enforce specifications in the selling, renting, leasing or letting or in the furnishings of facilities or services in connection with the facilities that are consistent with business necessity and are not based on the race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, country of ancestral origin or familial status of or the receipt of public assistance payments by any prospective or actual purchaser, lessee, tenant or occupant. Nothing in this Act may be construed to prohibit or limit the exercise of the privilege of every person and the agent of any person making loans for or offering financial assistance in the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of housing accommodations to set standards and preferences, terms, conditions, limitations or specifications for the granting of loans or financial assistance that are consistent with business necessity and are not based on the race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, country of ancestral origin or familial status of or the receipt of public assistance payments by the applicant for a loan or financial assistance or of any existing or prospective owner, lessee, tenant or occupant of a housing accommodation. [PL 2021, c. 366, §11 (AMD).]