(a) A person to whom application is made for financial assistance or financing in connection with a real estate transaction or in connection with the construction, rehabilitation, repair, maintenance, or improvement of real property, or a representative of that person, shall not:
(1) Discriminate against the applicant because of the religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status of the applicant or a person residing with the applicant; or
(2) Use a form of application for financial assistance or financing to make or keep a record or inquiry in connection with an application for financial assistance or financing which indicates, directly or indirectly, a preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination as to the religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status of the applicant or a person residing with the applicant.
(b) Subdivision (a)(2) of this section shall not apply to a form of application for financial assistance prescribed for the use of a lender regulated as a mortgagee under the National Housing Act, as amended, 12 U.S.C. §§ 1701—1750g (Supp. 1973), or by a regulatory board or officer acting under the statutory authority of this state or the United States.