Bill > HB213

This bill amends Maryland law to permit the interception of oral communications under specific circumstances related to fair housing testing, defining a "NONPROFIT CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION" as a qualified fair housing enforcement organization or one incorporated under Maryland law with at least two years of experience in complaint intake, investigation, and testing for fair housing violations. The bill allows individuals working as fair housing testers for federal, state, local, or qualifying nonprofit organizations to lawfully intercept an oral communication if they are a party to the conversation and the interception is for the purpose of gathering evidence of a fair housing violation. While the contents of such intercepted communications and any derived evidence generally cannot be used in most legal proceedings, they may be used solely for enforcing federal, state, or local fair housing laws, and this provision is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0213?ys=2026RS