SB 938 establishes Maryland's Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing Stabilization Program to provide emergency capital repair funding for private, affordable multifamily rental properties with 15+ units serving low-income households. The program requires property owners to prove they lack sufficient operating or reserve funds to cover urgent repairs, and offers low- or no-interest loans or grants up to $1 million per property annually. The Governor may allocate $5 million yearly for the program during fiscal years 2028-2031, with priority given to repairs that reduce operating costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
HB 768 modifies Maryland law to clarify how the Department of Human Services (DHS) manages benefits (like Social Security or VA payments) for children in its custody. It requires DHS to seek other suitable representatives to manage these benefits before acting as the payee, and mandates that at least 40% of benefits be used for children’s unmet needs (such as disability services, housing, or education) when they are ages 14-15, increasing to 80% at 16-17 and 100% at 18-20. The bill also requires DHS to document all efforts to find alternative payees, periodically review if another representative could better serve the child, and avoid using benefits to cover state care costs. These changes apply specifically to children committed to DHS custody under Maryland’s Family Law.
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SB 814 voids certain residential service agreements entered before June 1, 2023, if the service provider is deemed "defunct" (not in good standing with Maryland’s Department of Assessments and Taxation) on or after June 1, 2026. It specifically invalidates agreements that attempt to bind future property owners, create liens on homes, or allow unapproved transfers of service rights. Homeowners affected can seek court declarations that such agreements are void, along with damages and legal fees. The bill amends Maryland’s real property code to establish this automatic voiding mechanism, effective June 1, 2026. It directly impacts homeowners with outdated service contracts tied to providers who lost state authorization.
HB 1213 lowers Maryland's transfer tax rates for specific affordable housing properties to increase housing accessibility. It creates a new "deed-restricted property" category requiring 15% of units to be affordable to households earning ≤80% of the area median income (defined as housing costing ≤30% of income). The bill reduces tax rates for these properties: 0.25% (under $1M), 0.375% ($1M-$10M), and 0.5% ($10M+) versus standard rates for similar properties. It also adds a 0.5% tax rate for transfers involving certain low-income housing tax credit developments, directly benefiting first-time homebuyers and affordable housing developers.
HB 1252 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development to study housing availability and affordability in Montgomery County and propose solutions. The study must examine housing types, development opportunities, and how regulations/market forces impact supply, with recommendations to increase housing options. The department must submit interim reports by November 2026 and 2027, plus a final report by November 2028, to Montgomery County officials and the Maryland General Assembly. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2029, after a 3-year study period. It directly affects Montgomery County residents by addressing local housing challenges through a structured policy review.
SB 729 expands a legal aid program that provides representation to tenants facing eviction to include residents of mobile home parks, ensuring they receive legal help during eviction proceedings. The bill requires mobile home park owners to establish pet policies, ensure water meets safety standards, and follow new rules for fees and utility billing, while banning them from denying services due to unpaid rent or personal characteristics. It also mandates a time period for residents to pay overdue rent before eviction and requires park owners to include subtenants as defendants in eviction cases. These changes strengthen tenant protections and clarify responsibilities for mobile home park owners.
HB 1615 amends Maryland law to allow cooperative housing corporations and condominiums to use reserve funds for emergency purposes beyond their original funding plans, under specific conditions. It requires that any emergency use of reserves must be repaid within five years and approved by at least two-thirds of members (for co-ops) or unit owners (for condos). The bill also mandates that governing bodies develop funding plans prioritizing health, safety, and structural repairs - such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems - and review progress annually. This change affects all Maryland co-ops and condominiums with reserve funds, streamlining emergency financial access while maintaining accountability. The bill amends Sections 5-6B-26.1(g) of the Corporations and Associations article and Section 11-109.4(f) of the Real Property article in the Annotated Code of Maryland.
HB 1501 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development to create a certification program for homeless shelters, mandating that all shelters obtain certification by July 1, 2026, or cease operations. The bill establishes a tiered certification system prioritizing year-round shelters (including transitional and medical care shelters) over seasonal or motel-based shelters, with staggered application deadlines for different shelter types. It mandates specific requirements for certification, including organizational documentation, regular on-site inspections, and a grievance process for residents to report violations. This directly affects all homeless shelter operators statewide, requiring them to meet new standards or face penalties for operating without certification after the deadline.
HB 1460 (Landlord and Tenant - Investor-Owned Single-Family Rental Property - Landlord Requirements) limits rent for investor-owned single-family rentals (defined as properties owned by individuals with two or more rental properties in Maryland). It sets a maximum rent at 120% of either the federal fair market rent for the area or the home’s last sale price divided by 12, and prohibits landlords from charging more than documented utility costs or $100/month in mandatory fees. Landlords must disclose the fair market rent, last sale price, and maximum allowable rent to tenants before lease agreements, and the state must maintain a public registry of these landlords. Violations can result in fines up to $10,000, license suspension, or tenant lawsuits seeking triple damages. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 635 modifies Maryland's landlord-tenant law to allow landlords to enter rented properties without written notice in two specific situations: (1) during emergencies threatening property, occupant safety, or other tenants' health/safety, or (2) when completing repairs requested in writing by the tenant, either within 7 days of the request or while actively working on the repair. This change affects landlords and tenants in rental housing by removing the standard 24-hour written notice requirement for these scenarios, while maintaining the existing rule that routine entries must occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday unless otherwise agreed in writing. The bill amends Section 8-221(b) of the Maryland Annotated Code and takes effect October 1, 2026.
