In 2020, Maryland added “source of income” as a protected class.

The laws addressing source of income discrimination in Maryland are as follows: “source of income” means any lawful source of money paid directly or indirectly to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing.

“Source of income” includes income from:

• A lawful profession, occupation or job; any government or private assistance, grant, loan, or rental assistance program, including low-income housing assistance certificates and vouchers issued under the United States Housing Act of 1937.

• A gift, an inheritance, a pension, an annuity, alimony, child support, or any other consideration or benefit; or the sale or pledge of property or an interest in property.

The prohibitions in this subtitle against discrimination based on source of income do not:

• Prohibit a person from determining the ability of a potential buyer or renter to pay a purchase price or pay rent by verifying in a commercially reasonable and nondiscriminatory manner the source and amount of income or creditworthiness of the potential buyer or renter.

• Prevent a person from refusing to consider income derived from any criminal activity; or prohibit a person from determining, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, the ability of a potential buyer to repay a mortgage loan.

Md. Code Ann., State Gov’t § 20-704 (West)

Except as provided in §§ 20-703 and 20-704 of this subtitle, a person may not:

• Refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of ... source of income.

• Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with the sale or rental of a dwelling, because of ... source of income.

• Make, print or publish, or cause to be made, printed or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on ... source of income, or an intention to make any preference, limitation, or discrimination.

• Represent to any person, because of ... source of income, that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when the dwelling is available.

• For profit, induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person of a particular source of income.

Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.