SB 82 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property - Penalty

SB 82 amends Maryland law to specifically prohibit creating, aiding, or possessing counterfeit leases or rental agreements with fraudulent intent. It directly affects individuals who attempt to defraud landlords or tenants through fake housing documents. The bill adds "lease" and "rental agreement" to the list of forgery targets (alongside checks, deeds, and other documents), making it a felony to create such counterfeits (up to 10 years in prison or $1,000 fine) and a misdemeanor to knowingly possess them (up to 3 years or $1,000 fine). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Oct 31, 2025 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease - Penalty → Third - Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property - Penalty · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated to specifically target the counterfeiting of real property leases and rental agreements, clarifying that the law applies to documents relating to real estate. The text was also updated to reflect that the bill has been adopted by the Senate and includes a favorable committee report.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed and clarified to focus exclusively on 'real property' leases and rental agreements, removing broader references to general leases and updating the title to reflect this specific focus.

SCOPE

The bill title and operative text were updated to explicitly specify 'Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property,' ensuring the law targets documents related to real estate rather than general leases.

DEFINITION

The list of counterfeitable items was updated to include 'LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY' and 'RENTAL AGREEMENT RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY,' while removing generic references to 'LEASE' and 'RENTAL AGREEMENT' without the real property qualifier.

TECHNICAL

New lines were added indicating the bill has been adopted by the Senate and received a favorable committee report, marking its progression through the legislative process.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

39–5

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Feb 14, 2026

D Democratic36

27 Yea 5 Nay 4

75% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 550

executive

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 18, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (119-0-23)

house of delegates

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Feb 14, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (39-5-5)

senate

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

Oct 31, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

10 primary · 0 co-sponsors