Del. Nick Allen

Maddy summaryHB 1239 strengthens Maryland's fair housing laws by explicitly prohibiting housing discrimination based on discriminatory *effects* - not just intent. It amends Section 20-702(b)(2) and Section 20-705(A) to state that housing providers cannot discriminate "regardless of intent" in practices like refusing rentals, setting unequal terms, or using biased advertisements. The bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to adopt regulations supporting "affirmatively furthering fair housing" and mandates that housing authorities submit fair housing assessments as part of their comprehensive plans. This directly affects landlords, housing authorities, and any entity involved in residential housing transactions across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1257 requires landlords renting five or more residential units to fully disclose all mandatory fees (like pet or parking fees) when advertising rental rates and providing written information to prospective tenants. Landlords must clearly state the fee's purpose, amount, type (mandatory vs. optional), and payment schedule in advance, and cannot charge any mandatory fee that wasn’t disclosed. The Department of Housing and Community Development will assist tenants with understanding the law and can impose penalties of up to $2,000 for repeat violations. This law excludes utility charges and minor lease violations from disclosure requirements, directly affecting landlords and prospective tenants in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 allows sellers of residential property to request a second appraisal if an initial appraisal values the property below its current market value. The bill requires lenders to provide a written copy of this additional appraisal to the seller at no cost. It directly affects residential property sellers who disagree with an initial appraisal, giving them a formal process to seek a revised valuation. The key provision ensures sellers receive a free, written copy of the second appraisal, addressing concerns about appraisal discrepancies during sales transactions. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 339 requires landlords of non-historic residential rental apartments in Maryland to provide air-conditioning starting June 1, 2025 for new units and October 1, 2025 for units with qualifying HVAC system upgrades. Landlords must maintain temperatures within specific ranges during June-September: 90% of ASHRAE Standard 55 thresholds normally, and 80% thresholds if daily highs exceed 92.3°F. The law applies only to apartment buildings (excluding National Register historic properties) and distinguishes between landlord-controlled and tenant-controlled AC systems. It does not affect buildings with permits issued before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 303 creates a State Board of Common Ownership Community Managers within the Maryland Department of Labor to license and regulate professionals managing residential common ownership communities (like condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations). It requires community managers to hold licenses, mandates that communities register with the Board under certain conditions, and requires contracts for management services to include specific provisions. The bill also imposes duties on contracting parties to maintain fidelity bonds or theft insurance and establishes a special fund to cover the Board’s operational costs. These changes directly affect community managers, property owners, and management companies operating in Maryland’s residential common ownership communities.

Maddy summaryHB 219 allows Baltimore City to tow, remove, or impound vehicles owned by new Maryland residents who fail to register with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and display valid Maryland license plates within 60 days of moving to the city. It directly affects new residents who do not comply with the existing 60-day registration grace period for out-of-state vehicles. The bill amends Maryland law to specifically authorize Baltimore City to enforce this requirement through towing or impoundment, rather than relying on general vehicle parking regulations. This change clarifies Baltimore City's authority to act during the 60-day registration window, aligning with current state law but specifying the city's enforcement power.

Maddy summaryHB 267 prohibits non-Veterans Affairs (V.A.) accredited individuals or organizations from charging fees for preparing, presenting, or advising veterans on benefits claims or appeals. It requires any fee-charging provider to give written disclosures about free V.A.-accredited services and include this notice in all advertisements. The bill enforces these rules through civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, collected by the Attorney General. This directly affects veterans seeking benefits and non-accredited claim servicers who previously offered paid assistance for appeals or claims.

Maddy summaryHB 769 delays residential foreclosure filings by requiring a 90-day waiting period after a payment default and mandating a 45-day notice of intent to foreclose before filing. It requires lenders to provide written loan details (including payment history and current balance) in foreclosure filings and allows homeowners to raise a defense if lenders delay filing excessively. The bill specifically affects Maryland homeowners with owner-occupied residential properties (up to four units) and lenders seeking to foreclose on mortgages that are significantly overdue. These changes amend Maryland's foreclosure law to add procedural safeguards before foreclosure actions can proceed.

Maddy summaryHB 386 prohibits the use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals (a class of fluorinated chemicals) at specific locations, including schools, healthcare facilities, day cares, residential lawns, and commercial mosquito spraying, beginning June 1, 2026. The Maryland Department of Agriculture must create and maintain a list of all PFAS pesticides by January 1, 2026, and distribute it to certified applicators. The bill also bans new registrations of PFAS pesticides for sale in Maryland starting June 1, 2027, and prohibits all use of these pesticides statewide after June 1, 2028. This directly affects pesticide manufacturers, certified applicators, and entities using pesticides in the specified locations.

Maddy summaryHB 802 designates the Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea) as Maryland's official state carnivorous plant. The bill amends Maryland's state code by adding this designation to Section 7-302 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This is a ceremonial designation with no new regulations, funding, or direct impact on any individuals or groups. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.