Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 337: School Construction and Housing - School Zones and Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

HB 337 requires Maryland county school boards to annually submit detailed reports on school zones, student residency locations (without personal identifiers), and school capacity to state planning agencies starting July 1, 2026. It prohibits local "adequate public facilities ordinances" from delaying subdivision or site development plan approvals but allows them to delay final building permits. This directly affects county school boards, housing developers, and local planning departments by standardizing school zone data sharing and clarifying when school capacity rules can impact housing projects. The bill aims to streamline housing development while ensuring school capacity data informs planning.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits local 'adequate public facilities ordinances' from delaying housing subdivision approvals, facilitating faster development without weakening housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 379: Recovery Residence Grant Program - Funding

This bill ensures Maryland's Recovery Residence Grant Program receives $500,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2030 by requiring this funding be included in the state's annual budget. It directly supports recovery residences (such as sober living facilities) that provide housing and support services for people in addiction recovery. The law updates existing funding rules to extend the annual budget requirement through 2030, preventing potential funding gaps. This creates a stable funding mechanism for these community-based recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual $500k state budget allocation for recovery residences, ensuring stable funding for essential addiction support services through 2030.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds recovery residences for addiction rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform by supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds addiction recovery residences (mental health support) via mandatory annual $500k budget allocation, preventing funding gaps for critical healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds recovery residences (sober living housing) for addiction recovery, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives via annual budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

HB 432: Municipalities - Vagrancy - Repeal of Authority to Prohibit

HB 432 repeals a provision in Maryland law that allowed municipalities to prohibit "vagrancy" (laws targeting homeless or loitering individuals without clear purpose). The bill directly affects local governments by removing their legal authority to enforce such vagrancy prohibitions under Section 5-207(c)(2) of the Maryland Annotated Code. Key mechanisms include deleting "vagrancy" from the list of activities municipalities could ban, while preserving other related powers like prohibiting gambling or vice. The change takes effect October 1, 2026, and represents a concrete policy shift in local law enforcement authority.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals vagrancy laws criminalizing homelessness/loitering, reducing unnecessary arrests and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals vagrancy laws criminalizing homelessness, removing barriers for unhoused individuals and aligning with housing access protections90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Homelessness Tenant Rights

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 169: Criminal Procedure - Expungement of Records - Good Cause

HB 169 allows individuals with past misdemeanor or felony convictions to petition courts for expungement (removal of court records) after specific waiting periods: 5 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies following completion of sentences, parole, or probation. Courts may grant expungement if a person demonstrates "good cause," considering factors like the crime's nature, rehabilitation success, public safety risk, and the impact of the conviction on employment or housing. If denied, the decision cannot be appealed, and the person must wait 3 years before reapplying for the same conviction. This bill directly affects Maryland residents seeking to clear past criminal records to improve access to jobs, housing, and other opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of records for past convictions, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to employment/housing - core criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly lists 'impact on housing' as a factor for expungement, removing criminal record barriers to housing access for individuals with past convictions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly considers 'impact of conviction on employment' as a factor for expungement, directly addressing employment barriers for individuals with criminal records.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 523: Real Property - Residential Foreclosures - Commencement Restrictions

HB 523 (Real Property - Residential Foreclosures - Commencement Restrictions) delays foreclosure actions on residential properties by requiring a 90-day waiting period after a default or notice of intent to foreclose, whichever is later. It directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure and mortgage lenders by adding this waiting period, with limited exceptions for fraud, no payments, property destruction, bankruptcy, or vacant properties. Key provisions include mandatory affidavits verifying default details and notice accuracy, a $450 filing fee, and requirements for loss mitigation documentation. The bill modifies Maryland's foreclosure law to provide additional time for homeowners to seek alternatives before a foreclosure case can proceed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDelays residential foreclosures by 90 days, protecting homeowners from rapid housing loss and strengthening tenant/homeowner security during financial hardship.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 226: Department of Disabilities - Housing Programs and Affiliated Foundations - Establishment

HB 226 requires Maryland's Department of Disabilities to establish affordable and accessible housing programs for people with disabilities. It also allows the department to create affiliated foundations that can raise funds from businesses, nonprofits, and individuals to support housing initiatives, assistive technology, employment accommodations, and community living programs. These foundations operate separately from the state government and cannot be considered state agencies or incur state debt. The bill directly affects individuals with disabilities by expanding access to housing and related support services through these new programs and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes affordable housing programs for disabled residents and funds through foundations, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 180: Evidence - Interception of Oral Communications - Fair Housing Testing

SB 180 allows fair housing testers working for specific programs (federal, state, local governments, or qualifying nonprofit civil rights organizations) to legally record oral communications during housing tests to document potential discrimination. The bill creates an exception to Maryland's wiretap law, permitting testers to intercept conversations they are party to if the recording is solely for gathering evidence of fair housing violations under federal, state, or local law. Crucially, recordings made under this exception cannot be used as evidence in court or other proceedings except to enforce fair housing laws. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects fair housing testing organizations and their trained testers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables fair housing testers to legally record discrimination evidence, strengthening enforcement against housing bias per federal/state fair housing laws.95% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 602: Baltimore County - Transfer Tax - Exemption for First-Time Home Buyers

HB 602 exempts first-time home buyers in Baltimore County from the county's transfer tax when purchasing improved residential property they will occupy as their primary residence. It directly affects individuals who have never owned residential property in Maryland that served as their principal residence before. To qualify, buyers (or their agents) must provide a sworn statement confirming their first-time buyer status and intent to live in the property as their primary home. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to property transfers meeting these specific criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts first-time homebuyers from transfer tax, providing tax relief for lower-income residents. Directly reduces tax burden for qualifying individuals under budget/tax policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts first-time buyers from transfer tax, reducing upfront costs for homeownership and increasing affordability for primary residences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Homeownership

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 368: Prince George's County - Supplemental Homeowners' Property Tax Credit - Required PG 412-26

HB 368 requires Prince George's County to provide an additional property tax credit for homeowners, supplementing Maryland's existing state credit. The credit reduces taxes based on income: 0% on the first $8,000, 4% on the next $4,000, 6.5% on the following $4,000, and 9% on income above $16,000. Homeowners must have combined income under $75,000 and net worth under $200,000 to qualify. The State Department of Assessments and Taxation administers the credit, and Prince George's County must reimburse the state for administrative costs. The law takes effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via supplemental credit for lower/middle-income homeowners (under $75k income), reducing their property tax burden per income brackets.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax credit reducing costs for low-income homeowners ($75k income cap), directly advancing affordable housing access through financial relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 391: Creation of a State Debt – Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026, and the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loans of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025

HB 391 authorizes Maryland to issue $1.824 billion in state debt through a "Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026" to fund state capital projects. The bill directs proceeds toward building, renovating, and equipping state facilities, acquiring real estate, and providing grants to local governments and organizations for development projects. It requires matching funds from grantees, sets deadlines for project spending, and amends prior bond loan laws (2015-2025) to clarify funding rules and project requirements. The bill does not create new policies but establishes the financial mechanism for state capital investment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $1.824B in state debt for capital projects (facilities, grants), directly advancing fiscal management and infrastructure funding per budget & taxes topic.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $1.824B via grants for local housing development projects through state capital bond loans, directly funding housing-related capital projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Debt & Bonds State Budget Property Development

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