Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 814: Residential Property - Service Agreement - Defunct Service Providers

SB 814 voids certain residential service agreements entered before June 1, 2023, if the service provider is deemed "defunct" (not in good standing with Maryland’s Department of Assessments and Taxation) on or after June 1, 2026. It specifically invalidates agreements that attempt to bind future property owners, create liens on homes, or allow unapproved transfers of service rights. Homeowners affected can seek court declarations that such agreements are void, along with damages and legal fees. The bill amends Maryland’s real property code to establish this automatic voiding mechanism, effective June 1, 2026. It directly impacts homeowners with outdated service contracts tied to providers who lost state authorization.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill voids invalid service agreements creating liens on homes, protecting property rights (a housing policy component) by allowing homeowners to seek court declarations and damages.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 937: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases - Prospective Tenant Criminal History Records Check (Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act)

SB 937, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, prohibits landlords from requiring or considering a prospective tenant's criminal history before making a rental offer. Landlords may only review criminal history after extending a conditional offer and must allow tenants to provide evidence about inaccuracies, rehabilitation, or mitigating factors. The bill also bans upfront criminal history checks, restricts discriminatory housing ads, and makes violations enforceable under Maryland's consumer protection laws. It directly affects all residential landlords and tenants with past criminal records in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal history checks in housing decisions, aligns with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to housing for individuals with records, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits criminal history discrimination in rentals, protects tenants from bias, aligns with tenant protection and anti-discrimination housing policies95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1249: Certified Recovery Residences - Refusing Services to Individuals Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment - Prohibition

HB 1249 prohibits certified recovery residences in Maryland from refusing services to individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder or requiring them to stop or change their MAT as a condition for housing. The bill amends certification standards for recovery residences (which provide non-clinical housing for people with substance use disorders) to ensure credentialing entities cannot allow such discrimination. It directly affects certified recovery residences and individuals using MAT for opioid addiction, requiring certification rules to explicitly ban these practices. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to opioid use disorder treatment under MAT.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits discrimination against MAT users in recovery housing, ensuring access to substance use treatment services and protecting patient rights in healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against MAT users in recovery residences, protecting tenant rights and ensuring housing access for vulnerable populations in housing settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 753: Tax Sales - Homeowner Protections - Revisions

HB 753 would require Maryland's State Tax Sale Ombudsman to create a process allowing homeowners to designate family members or representatives to handle tax sale matters on their behalf. It mandates that dwellings be withheld from tax sale if the homeowner has a physician-documented terminal illness or medical hardship. The bill also increases the maximum home value eligible for the Homeowner Protection Program and grants priority enrollment in the program to homeowners with terminal illness or medical hardship. These changes directly affect Maryland homeowners facing tax sale proceedings, particularly those with serious health conditions or limited capacity to navigate the process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by preventing forced home sales for vulnerable homeowners with terminal illness, aligning with support indicators for fiscal protection.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents forced tax sales for homeowners with terminal illness/medical hardship, expands Homeowner Protection Program eligibility, and prioritizes vulnerable homeowners - directly strengthening housing stability protections.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 783: Washington County - Property Tax Credit - Platoon 22, Incorporated

HB 783 requires Washington County and its municipalities to grant a 100% property tax credit against county and municipal taxes for real property owned by Platoon 22, Incorporated, provided the property is used to provide housing for veterans. The bill directly affects Platoon 22, a nonprofit organization, by eliminating property tax liability on qualifying housing properties. Key provisions mandate this tax credit be implemented through local law, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026. This is a targeted tax exemption for a specific organization’s veteran housing operations, not a broad policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 783 eliminates property tax liability for veteran housing nonprofit via 100% tax credit, providing direct tax relief and supporting fiscal management for housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEliminates property taxes for veteran housing nonprofit, reducing costs to maintain affordable housing. Directly supports housing access for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates property taxes for nonprofit providing veteran housing, directly funding housing services through tax credit for veterans' housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 805: Building Homes Act

HB 805, the Building Homes Act, creates a property tax credit for affordable homes in Maryland. It allows Baltimore City or county/municipal governments to offer tax credits against property taxes for dwellings with mortgages from nonprofit lenders and a 20-year agreement ensuring affordable pricing (including resale restrictions). The credit equals the difference between taxes on the home's full value and the portion covered by the homeowner's first mortgage. This directly affects homeowners in nonprofit-managed affordable housing units, reducing their annual property tax burden starting June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides targeted property tax credit reducing burden for affordable housing homeowners, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates property tax credits for affordable homes via nonprofit mortgages with 20-year affordability agreements, directly increasing accessible housing options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 501: Washington County - Property Tax Credit - Platoon 22, Incorporated

SB 501 requires Washington County and its municipalities to grant a 100% property tax credit for real property owned by Platoon 22, Incorporated, specifically when that property is used to provide housing for veterans. The bill amends Maryland's tax code to mandate this credit by law, directly affecting only Platoon 22's taxable property within Washington County. The credit covers the full amount of county and municipal property tax on qualifying veteran housing properties. This policy change applies to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 100% property tax credit for veteran housing, providing tax relief for a public service and directly altering tax code to fund essential housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides 100% property tax credit for veteran housing, reducing provider costs and advancing affordable housing access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates 100% property tax credit for veteran housing provided by Platoon 22, directly funding housing services for veterans through tax relief.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1466: Department of Housing and Community Development - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program - Qualified Properties

HB 1466 expands Maryland's Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program by redefining "qualified property" to include homes in neighborhoods **historically redlined or affected by urban renewal**, in addition to existing criteria. This change directly affects **homebuyers and developers** seeking affordable housing in these specific areas by allowing them to access financial assistance to cover appraisal gaps. The program helps address undervaluation of homes in historically redlined neighborhoods - where appraisals often fall below market value due to systemic bias - by providing funds to bridge that difference. The bill amends Maryland Code, Housing and Community Development Article, Section 4-2801(h), effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands financial assistance program to address historic redlining undervaluation, directly increasing affordable housing access for homebuyers/developers in targeted neighborhoods.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 919: Maryland Higher Education Commission - Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program - Established

HB 919 establishes the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The program provides grants directly to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities who aim to become real estate appraisers. Its key mechanisms include closing appraisal gaps in these communities, diversifying the appraisal field, and supporting individuals pursuing PAREA certification. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the grants starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingTargets historically redlined neighborhoods to close appraisal gaps, addressing housing discrimination and supporting equitable housing outcomes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1490: Family Investment Program - Temporary Cash Assistance - Good Cause and Adequate Reason Exceptions

HB 1490 modifies Maryland's Family Investment Program to protect individuals receiving Temporary Cash Assistance from losing benefits due to noncooperation with child support. It establishes specific "good cause" exceptions - such as domestic violence, homelessness, housing crises, child care barriers, or situations where cooperation would harm a child (e.g., incest, rape, or pending adoption) - that prevent the Department of Human Services from denying, reducing, or terminating assistance. The bill requires the Secretary to define these criteria and allows individuals to prove good cause through a simple oral or written statement, without needing written evidence, third-party verification, or paying for notarization. This directly affects low-income families navigating child support requirements while maintaining access to critical cash aid.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly lists 'housing crises' as a 'good cause' exception to prevent loss of Temporary Cash Assistance, directly supporting housing stability for vulnerable residents.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing