Real Property - Holding Over - Expedited Hearing and Service of Summons for Active Duty Service Members

HB 229 modifies Maryland's landlord-tenant law to provide faster court proceedings for military-connected landlords. It requires District Courts to schedule a hearing within 45 days if the landlord or their spouse is on active military duty (and meets specific conditions like relocation due to duty), rather than waiting for standard timelines. The bill also allows private process servers to deliver summonses if regular court officers fail to serve within 10 days. This directly affects active-duty military members who own rental properties and tenants holding over after leases end. The law applies only when landlords submit required documentation proving military service status.