Bill > HB208

This bill, titled "Courts - Evidence - Proof of Ownership of Real Property," aims to help new property owners protect their property during the time it takes for a deed to be officially recorded. It proposes that in legal proceedings involving real property, submitting evidence that a deed has been sent to the clerk of the circuit court for recording, or other required documents for a property sale or mortgage, can create a "rebuttable presumption of ownership." This means that unless someone can prove otherwise, the court will assume the person who submitted these documents is the owner. Acceptable evidence could include a certified copy of the intake sheet for recording or a HUD-1 settlement statement or closing disclosure, which are federal documents related to real estate transactions. The Supreme Court of Maryland may create rules to put these provisions into practice, and the law is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0208?ys=2026RS