Bill > HB1077

This bill establishes the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, which significantly restricts how landlords can use criminal history information when evaluating prospective tenants. The legislation prohibits landlords from requesting or requiring criminal history information on initial housing applications and bars them from rejecting tenants solely based on their criminal record. Landlords may only conduct a criminal history records check after extending a conditional offer of housing, and even then, they can only consider a limited set of serious criminal convictions, such as first-degree murder, human trafficking, and certain sex offenses. Before withdrawing a conditional offer, landlords must conduct an individualized assessment that considers factors like the nature and severity of the offense, how much time has passed, and evidence of rehabilitation. The bill requires landlords to provide written notice if they withdraw an offer and allows prospective tenants to appeal by presenting mitigating evidence. Additionally, the Attorney General is tasked with developing model notice documents, collecting data on complaints, and enforcing the law, with potential civil penalties of up to $1,000 for violations. The law is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and aims to reduce housing discrimination based on criminal history.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1077?ys=2025RS