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

SB 981 creates a Common Ownership Community Ombudsman Unit within Maryland's Attorney General's office to handle complaints from residents of condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations (HOAs) about final decisions made by their community's management. The bill requires these communities to submit governing documents to the state housing department, which must establish a public database of all filings. The Ombudsman Unit will review complaints, refer them to county-established local commissions for review if needed, or make determinations on whether decisions violate state laws, while also providing residents with information and dispute resolution referrals. The unit must report annually on its activities, including complaint volumes and actions taken.