Bill > H2020

This bill introduces new rental protections for specific tenant groups, including elderly individuals (65 or older), people with disabilities, and low-to-middle income residents (defined as those earning at or below 80% of the area median income). The legislation allows these tenants to terminate their rental agreements without penalty if they are accepted into specialized housing options such as nursing homes, assisted living residences, public housing developments, age-restricted housing, or low-income housing, provided they give the property owner at least 30 days' written notice. The bill prohibits property owners from refusing to enter into rental agreements or housing subsidy providers from denying assistance to tenants who have terminated a lease under these circumstances. Additionally, any lease provisions that attempt to waive these protections would be considered void. The courts are granted jurisdiction to enforce these provisions, and the Department of Housing and Community Development is tasked with creating rules and regulations to implement the law, potentially expanding the types of housing that qualify for this tenant protection. The primary goal of the bill is to provide more flexibility and support for vulnerable populations in their housing transitions.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2020