Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and §§ 20–703 and 20–704 of this subtitle, a person may not, regardless of intent: refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status; discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with the sale or rental of a dwelling, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status; make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status, or an intention to make any preference, limitation, or discrimination; represent to any person, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status, that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when the dwelling is available; for profit, induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person of a particular race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status; or act in a manner that has a discriminatory effect. A person has not violated a prohibition in subsection (a) of this section if: the action was without discriminatory intent; the action was necessary to achieve one or more substantial, legitimate, and nondiscriminatory interests; and the person could not have achieved the substantial, legitimate, and nondiscriminatory interests by less discriminatory means.