Bill > H5027

This bill establishes clear responsibilities for both tenants and owners regarding bed bug infestations, defining terms like "bed bug" as the common Cimex Lectularius, "control" as professional pest elimination, "infestation" as a noticeable presence of bed bugs, and "surrounding unit" as adjacent living spaces. It mandates that tenants immediately notify owners in writing of any suspected infestation, allow access for inspections and treatments with 24-hour notice, and comply with professional applicator instructions, such as laundering or sealing personal items, with failure to do so making the tenant liable for damages and potentially leading to eviction during treatment. Owners, upon learning of an infestation, must visually inspect the unit within five business days and, if confirmed, begin extermination protocols and notify surrounding units, also engaging a "certified applicator," a professional pest exterminator, within ten business days to confirm and treat the infestation until it is considered resolved, meaning no evidence of activity for 30 days after the last treatment. The bill clarifies that owners are not liable for damages from bed bugs unless they fail to follow these requirements, and it directs the Department of Public Health to create and distribute an informational sheet about bed bugs, including prevention, control, and the legal rights and obligations of tenants and owners, which must be provided to tenants at the time of lease signing. This legislation does not apply to single-family dwellings.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Housing (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5027