SB 896 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Real Property - Residential Rental Property - Pet Policy Disclosure (Pet Policy Transparency Act)

SB 896, the "Pet Policy Transparency Act," requires landlords of residential rental properties in Maryland to publicly disclose their pet policies. Landlords must provide a link to the full policy on the property’s website, in digital advertisements, and in rental search engine listings, plus include a written summary in rental applications. The policy must clearly state all breed/weight restrictions, fees (upfront, deposits, monthly), pet limits, vaccination requirements, insurance needs, and other landlord-imposed rules. This law directly affects all residential landlords in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Real Property - Residential Rental Property - Pet Policy Disclosure (Pet Policy Transparency Act) Enrolled - Real Property - Residential Rental Property - Pet Policy Disclosure (Pet Policy Transparency Act) · 2 edits · May 13, 2025
MINOR
The bill was finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, adding official formatting and signature lines. The substantive text of the Pet Policy Transparency Act remains unchanged, retaining the requirement for landlords to disclose pet policies on websites, in digital ads, and on rental applications.
TECHNICAL

The document was converted from a Senate Bill draft to an Enrolled Bill, adding the Great Seal presentation language, proofreader signatures, and signature lines for the Governor and legislative leaders.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the bill header and the explanation of markup symbols to align with enrolled bill standards.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

411
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 46
Mar 20, 2025
D Democratic33
30 Yea 3
90% Yea
R Republican13
11 Yea 1 Nay 1
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 489
executive
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 5, 2025
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (41-1-4)
senate
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Sara Love
Sara Love
DDemocratic
MD
16