Bill > HB804

This bill requires the governing body of a common ownership community (such as a condominium or cooperative housing corporation) to develop a comprehensive smoking policy for multifamily dwellings with four or more units. The policy must cover all common areas, specify where smoking is authorized and prohibited, outline conditions for smoking, provide a complaint process, and detail potential penalties for violations. The bill defines "smoking" broadly to include traditional smoking and vaping, and applies to residential owners and tenants. Importantly, the policy cannot restrict smoking within an individual's own unit if the owner or tenant was residing there when the policy was adopted. The legislation does not mandate civil action for policy violations but allows individual owners or tenants to pursue legal action if needed. The bill also preserves local governments' ability to enact more stringent smoking regulations. The smoking policy must be at least as restrictive as existing state and local smoking laws, and the governing body must provide notice of the policy to all residential owners and tenants. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving common ownership communities time to develop and implement their smoking policies.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0804?ys=2025RS