HB 573 Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination – Regulations Effective 10/1/2026

Updates Maryland housing discrimination law to include “disparate impact” standards as currently found in federal affirmatively furthering fair housing rules (AFFH). It bans practices that have a discriminatory effect while still allowing practices that serve a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory purpose and where no less discriminatory alternative is available. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights will enforce these standards.

HB 1466 Appraisal Gap from Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program Effective 7/1/2026

Expands the definition of a “qualified property” under the program to include residential real property that is in an area that meets criteria established by DHCD for the identification of neighborhoods that have been historically redlined or have undergone urban renewal.

FRAUDULENT REAL ESTATE PRACTICES

SB 82 Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property Effective 10/1/2026

A person may not counterfeit or assist in counterfeiting a residential lease or rental agreement. Violators are guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or a $1,000 maximum fine.

HB 130 Task Force to Study Deed Fraud Effective 10/1/2026

Establishes the Task Force to Study Deed Fraud to identify incidents of deed fraud in the State, study how other states combat deed fraud, and develop recommendations for deed fraud detection tools. The Task Force will recommend strategies for intergovernmental coordination to detect and prevent deed fraud more effectively.

SB 168/HB 810 Study to Evaluate Blockchain-Based Real Property Verification Effective 6/1/26

By December 2026, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) will conduct a study to evaluate the use of blockchain technology for securely recording and verifying real property ownership and leases, and resolving real property disputes involving “squatting.”