Common Ownership Communities - Ombudsman Unit, Governing Document Database, and Local Commissions

SB 866 establishes an Ombudsman Unit within Maryland's Attorney General's Office to handle complaints from residents of common ownership communities (including condos, co-ops, and homeowners associations). The unit will review final adverse decisions by community governing bodies, refer disputes to local commissions, and provide residents with information about their rights. The bill also requires these communities to file governing documents (like rules and declarations) with the Department of Housing, which must create an online database for public access. Additionally, it mandates counties to establish local commissions to further review disputes involving community governance. These changes directly affect residents, community managers, and local government officials.