Real Property - Fraudulent Possession and Unauthorized Lease or Listing - Prohibition and Removal
SB 556 prohibits using false documents to gain possession of residential property, leasing property you don't own, or falsely advertising property sales when you're not the owner. It allows property owners or their agents to request sheriff removal of unlawful occupants after meeting specific conditions (e.g., no pending lawsuits, the occupant wasn't authorized). Sheriffs must verify ownership, serve immediate vacate notices, and may arrest occupants for trespass, while victims of wrongful removal can recover triple the fair market rent plus attorney fees. The law applies only to residential properties and clarifies that owners and sheriffs aren't liable for property damage during lawful removal.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 24, 2025
Last action Jan 28, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Justin Ready
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 556
Scope: MD
Hi! I can help you understand SB 556. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline