MarylandMaryland bars housing practices that harm protected groups by their effects
Maryland’s housing law bars actions that predictably disadvantage protected groups, even without intent, and lets the state housing department issue rules for its fair housing duties.
What it does
People may not take housing actions that predictably disadvantage a protected group or reinforce segregation, even without intent. An exception applies only when all three legal conditions are met.
The housing department may adopt rules for its fair housing duties, including duties involving local governments and housing authorities.
Argument forPeople in protected groups may challenge housing practices that predictably disadvantage their group or reinforce segregation, even when no one intended that effect.
Argument againstHousing providers may need to change policies that predictably disadvantage protected groups, even without intent, unless the policies meet all three legal conditions for an exception.
More detail
A person may not act in a way that has a discriminatory effect in residential housing, regardless of intent. The rule covers effects on groups tied to race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status. There is no violation if the action lacked discriminatory intent, was needed to serve a substantial, legitimate, and nondiscriminatory interest, and that interest could not be met in a less discriminatory way. The rule took effect October 1, 2026.
The Department of Housing and Community Development may adopt regulations to carry out its fair housing duties. The duties include administering the Department’s housing programs to further fair housing and requiring political subdivisions and housing authorities to do so. The regulations must carry out the requirements in this section. The authority took effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 778Became Law
- Apr 13Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 13Conference Committee Report {
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 13Conference Committee Report {
- Apr 13Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Sydnor, Henson and West)
- Apr 13Senate Refuses Recede
- Apr 13Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Sydnor, Henson and West)
- Apr 13Senate Refuses Recede
- Apr 13House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Amprey, Charkoudian and Adams)
- Apr 13House Requests Senate Recede
- Apr 13House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments
- Apr 11House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Amprey, Charkoudian and Adams)
- Apr 11House Requests Senate Recede
- Apr 11House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments
- Apr 9Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 9Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Augustine) Adopted
- Apr 9Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 9Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Apr 9Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Apr 1
- Vote recorded On Third Reading and Final Passage (CCR Adp). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 27
- Vote recorded Bill is on Third Reading for Final Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 22
- Vote recorded On Third Reading (Amend). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 13Referred Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 12Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 11Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Mar 10Favorable Report by Economic MattersMinor
- Feb 28
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 28First Reading Economic MattersIntroduced
HousingCivil Rights & Voting