Bill > HB13

This bill introduces new regulations for residential real estate contracts in Maryland designed to reduce potential bias in housing sales. Specifically, the bill applies to individual home buyers working with a real estate broker and prohibits the buyer's name from appearing on a contract of sale before the seller accepts the contract. Before or during contract preparation, buyers must execute either a buyer-broker agreement or an unrepresented buyer agreement that confirms their individual status, affirms they have not misrepresented themselves, have not been convicted of fraud related to property purchases, and intend to occupy the property as their primary residence. The legislation does not apply to corporate or business entity purchases or transactions by fiduciaries. The bill still allows buyer identification in other documents like deeds, mortgage applications, and at the time of contract acceptance by the seller. The law is intended to eliminate potential intentional or unintentional bias in housing decisions by temporarily anonymizing the buyer during the initial contract stage. The bill will take effect on October 1, 2026, and will only apply to residential contracts of sale initiated after that date.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0013?ys=2025RS