MD
Maryland House Bill HB236

Maryland 2023 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB236 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 316
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 316
5-(House Bill 236)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ *hb0236*
89
9-Tax Sales – State Tax Sale Ombudsman Homeowner Protection Program –
10-Outreach Campaign
10+HOUSE BILL 236
11+Q1 3lr0701
1112
12-FOR the purpose of requiring the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to contract with a vendor to
13-conduct an annual outreach campaign to homeowners in tax sale; requiring the
14-outreach campaign to consist of making telephone calls to each homeowner whose
15-dwelling is sold at a tax sale to inform the homeowner of the assistance available to
16-the homeowner through the Ombudsman’s office; authorizing the State Department
17-of Assessments and Taxation and the vendor to use any reliable public or private
18-source of information to compile the list of homeowners the vendor is required to call
19-and those homeowners’ telephone numbers; providing that the Homeowner
20-Protection Fund is the exclusive source of funding for the outreach campaign;
21-expressing the intent of the General Assembly that a certain portion of the balance
22-in the Homeowner Protection Fund be spent each year to conduct outreach in a
23-certain manner to homeowners in tax sale to encourage the homeowners to enroll in
24-the Homeowner Protection Program; authorizing the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to
25-conduct outreach using State employees and resources or contract with a private
26-vendor to conduct outreach; requiring that certain State and local government
27-agencies provide certain information to facilitate outreach at the request of the
28-Ombudsman; and generally relating to tax sales.
13+By: Delegates Kaiser, Ebersole, Fair, Hill, McCaskill, McComas, Taveras, and
14+Terrasa
15+Introduced and read first time: January 23, 2023
16+Assigned to: Ways and Means
17+Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
18+House action: Adopted
19+Read second time: March 6, 2023
2920
30-BY adding to
31- Article – Tax – Property
32-Section 2–113
33- Annotated Code of Maryland
34- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
21+CHAPTER ______
3522
36-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
37- Article – Tax – Property
38-Section 14–891 14–880 and 14–886
39- Annotated Code of Maryland
40- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
23+AN ACT concerning 1
4124
42- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
43-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
25+Tax Sales – State Tax Sale Ombudsman Homeowner Protection Program – 2
26+Outreach Campaign 3
4427
45-Article – Tax – Property
28+FOR the purpose of requiring the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to contract with a vendor to 4
29+conduct an annual outreach campaign to homeowners in tax sale; requiring the 5
30+outreach campaign to consist of making telephone calls to each homeowner whose 6
31+dwelling is sold at a tax sale to inform the homeowner of the assistance available to 7
32+the homeowner through the Ombudsman’s office; authorizing the State Department 8
33+of Assessments and Taxation and the vendor to use any reliable public or private 9
34+source of information to compile the list of homeowners the vendor is required to call 10
35+and those homeowners’ telephone numbers; providing that the Homeowner 11
36+Protection Fund is the exclusive source of funding for the outreach campaign; 12
37+expressing the intent of the General Assembly that a certain portion of the balance 13
38+in the Homeowner Protection Fund be spent each year to conduct outreach in a 14
39+certain manner to homeowners in tax sale to encourage the homeowners to enroll in 15
40+the Homeowner Protection Program; authorizing the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to 16
41+conduct outreach using State employees and resources or contract with a private 17
42+vendor to conduct outreach; requiring that certain State and local government 18
43+agencies provide certain information to facilitate outreach at the request of the 19
44+Ombudsman; and generally relating to tax sales. 20
4645
47-2–113.
48- Ch. 316 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
46+BY adding to 21
47+ Article – Tax – Property 22
48+Section 2–113 23 2 HOUSE BILL 236
4949
50-– 2 –
51- (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANI NGS
52-INDICATED.
5350
54- (2) “HOMEOWNER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–105 OF THIS
55-ARTICLE.
51+ Annotated Code of Maryland 1
52+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 2
5653
57- (3) “OMBUDSMAN ” MEANS THE STATE TAX SALE OMBUDSMAN
58-ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2–112 OF THIS SUBTITLE.
54+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3
55+ Article – Tax – Property 4
56+Section 14–891 14–880 and 14–886 5
57+ Annotated Code of Maryland 6
58+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 7
5959
60- (4) “TELEPHONE NUMBER ” INCLUDES A LANDLINE OR MOB ILE
61-TELEPHONE NUMBER .
60+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
61+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 9
6262
63- (5) “VENDOR” MEANS THE PRIVATE EN TITY CONTRACTED BY T HE
64-OMBUDSMAN TO CARRY OU T THIS SECTION.
63+Article – Tax – Property 10
6564
66- (B) THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL CONTR ACT WITH A VENDOR TO CONDUCT AN
67-ANNUAL OUTREACH CAMP AIGN TO HOMEOWNERS I N TAX SALE IN ACCORD ANCE
68-WITH THIS SECTION .
65+2–113. 11
6966
70- (C) (1) THE OUTREACH CAMPAIGN SHALL CONSIST OF MAK ING
71-TELEPHONE CALLS TO E ACH HOMEOWNER WHOSE DWELLING IS SOLD AT A TAX SALE
72-TO INFORM THE HOMEOW NER OF THE ASSISTANC E AVAILABLE TO THE H OMEOWNER
73-THROUGH THE OMBUDSMAN ’S OFFICE.
67+ (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 12
68+INDICATED. 13
7469
75- (2) EACH CALL SHALL BE MA DE BY A LIVE HUMAN C ALLER AND MAY
76-NOT BE PRERECORDED O R AUTOMATED .
70+ (2) “HOMEOWNER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–105 OF THIS 14
71+ARTICLE. 15
7772
78- (3) THE VENDOR MUST CONTI NUE TO PLACE SEPARAT E CALLS TO
79-EACH HOMEOWNER WITH INTERVALS OF AT LEAS T 2 DAYS BETWEEN EACH CA LL
80-UNTIL THE VENDOR HAS EITHER:
73+ (3) “OMBUDSMAN ” MEANS THE STATE TAX SALE OMBUDSMAN 16
74+ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2–112 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 17
8175
82- (I) HAD A CONVERSATION DIREC TLY WITH THE HOMEOWN ER;
83-OR
76+ (4) “TELEPHONE NUMBER ” INCLUDES A LANDLINE OR MOBILE 18
77+TELEPHONE NUMBER . 19
8478
85- (II) MADE AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE CALLS TO TH E
86-HOMEOWNER .
79+ (5) “VENDOR” MEANS THE PRIVATE EN TITY CONTRACTED BY T HE 20
80+OMBUDSMAN TO CARRY OU T THIS SECTION. 21
8781
88- (4) THE CALLS TO EACH HOM EOWNER SHALL BE MADE :
82+ (B) THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL CONTR ACT WITH A VENDOR TO CONDUCT AN 22
83+ANNUAL OUTREACH CAMP AIGN TO HOMEOWNERS I N TAX SALE IN ACCORD ANCE 23
84+WITH THIS SECTION . 24
8985
90- (I) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE HOMEOWNER ’S
91-DWELLING IS SOLD AT A TAX SALE; AND
92- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 316
86+ (C) (1) THE OUTREACH CAMPAIGN SHALL CONSIST OF MAK ING 25
87+TELEPHONE CALLS TO E ACH HOMEOWNER WHOSE DWELLING IS SOLD AT A TAX SALE 26
88+TO INFORM THE HOMEOW NER OF THE ASSISTANC E AVAILABLE TO THE H OMEOWNER 27
89+THROUGH THE OMBUDSMAN ’S OFFICE. 28
9390
94-– 3 –
95- (II) BEFORE THE HOLDER OF THE CERTIFICATE OF S ALE FOR
96-THE HOMEOWNER ’S DWELLING MAY FILE A COMPLAINT TO FOREC LOSE THE
97-HOMEOWNER ’S RIGHT TO REDEEM TH E DWELLING UNDER § 14–833 OF THIS
98-ARTICLE.
91+ (2) EACH CALL SHALL BE MA DE BY A LIVE HUMAN C ALLER AND MAY 29
92+NOT BE PRERECORDED O R AUTOMATED . 30
93+ HOUSE BILL 236 3
9994
100- (5) DURING EACH CALL , THE CALLER SHALL :
10195
102- (I) PROVIDE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE ASSIS TANCE
103-AVAILABLE THROUGH TH E OMBUDSMAN ’S OFFICE, INCLUDING THE HOMEOW NERS’
104-TAX CREDIT AND THE HOMEOWNER PROTECTION PROGRAM; AND
96+ (3) THE VENDOR MUST CONTI NUE TO PLACE SEPARAT E CALLS TO 1
97+EACH HOMEOWNER WITH INTERVALS OF AT LEAS T 2 DAYS BETWEEN EACH CA LL 2
98+UNTIL THE VENDOR HAS EITHER: 3
10599
106- (II) EXPLAIN TO THE HOMEO WNER WHY IT IS IN TH E
107-HOMEOWNER ’S INTEREST TO WORK W ITH THE OMBUDSMAN .
100+ (I) HAD A CONVERSATION D IRECTLY WITH THE HOM EOWNER; 4
101+OR 5
108102
109- (6) THE CALLER MAY LEAVE THE INFORMATION REQU IRED UNDER
110-PARAGRAPH (5) OF THIS SUBSECTION I N A VOICEMAIL MESSAG E BUT SHALL MAKE
111-SUBSEQUENT CALLS IN AN EFFORT TO SPEAK T O THE HOMEOWNER DIRE CTLY IF
112-REQUIRED UNDER PARAG RAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION .
103+ (II) MADE AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE CALLS TO TH E 6
104+HOMEOWNER . 7
113105
114- (7) (I) IF THE CALLER SPEAKS TO THE HOMEOWNER , THE CALLER
115-SHALL OFFER TO TRANS FER THE HOMEOWNER DI RECTLY TO THE OMBUDSMAN ’S
116-OFFICE FOR ASSISTANC E AFTER PROVIDING TH E INFORMATION REQUIR ED UNDER
117-PARAGRAPH (5) OF THIS SUBSECTION .
106+ (4) THE CALLS TO EACH HOM EOWNER SHALL BE MADE : 8
118107
119- (II) IF THE CALLER LEAVES A VOICEMA IL MESSAGE FOR THE
120-HOMEOWNER OR IF THE HOMEOWNER DECLINES T O BE TRANSFERRED DIR ECTLY TO
121-THE OMBUDSMAN ’S OFFICE, THE CALLER SHALL PRO VIDE THE HOMEOWNER W ITH
122-THE OMBUDSMAN ’S WEBSITE ADDRESS , E–MAIL ADDRESS , AND TELEPHONE
123-NUMBER.
108+ (I) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE HOMEOWNER ’S 9
109+DWELLING IS SOLD AT A TAX SALE; AND 10
124110
125- (D) (1) THE DEPARTMENT AND THE VENDOR MAY USE A NY RELIABLE
126-PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SO URCE OF INFORMATION TO COMPILE THE LIST OF
127-HOMEOWNERS THE VENDO R IS REQUIRED TO CAL L UNDER THIS SECTION AND
128-THOSE HOMEOWNERS ’ TELEPHONE NUMBERS .
111+ (II) BEFORE THE HOLDER OF THE CERTIFICATE OF S ALE FOR 11
112+THE HOMEOWNER ’S DWELLING MAY FILE A COMPLAINT TO FOREC LOSE THE 12
113+HOMEOWNER ’S RIGHT TO REDEEM TH E DWELLING UNDER § 14–833 OF THIS 13
114+ARTICLE. 14
129115
130- (2) AT THE REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT OR THE VEN DOR, EACH
131-STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT AGENCY SHALL PR OMPTLY PROVIDE ANY
132-INFORMATION REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT THIS SE CTION.
116+ (5) DURING EACH CALL , THE CALLER SHALL : 15
133117
134- (3) PROMPTLY AFTER EACH C OUNTY TAX SALE , THE COLLECTOR
135-SHALL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OR VENDOR WITH THE LIST OF HOM EOWNERS
136-WHOSE DWELLINGS WERE SOLD AT THE TAX SALE .
137- Ch. 316 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
118+ (I) PROVIDE A BRIEF SUMM ARY OF THE ASSISTANC E 16
119+AVAILABLE THROUGH TH E OMBUDSMAN ’S OFFICE, INCLUDING THE HOMEOW NERS’ 17
120+TAX CREDIT AND THE HOMEOWNER PROTECTION PROGRAM; AND 18
138121
139-– 4 –
140- (4) NOTWITHSTANDING § 13–202 OF THE TAX–GENERAL ARTICLE,
141-AT THE REQUEST OF TH E DEPARTMENT OR VENDOR , THE COMPTROLLER SHALL
142-PROVIDE THE TELEPHON E NUMBER OF A HOMEOW NER THE VENDOR IS RE QUIRED
143-TO CALL UNDER THIS S ECTION IF THE HOMEO WNER INCLUDED THE HO MEOWNER’S
144-TELEPHONE NUMBER ON A TAX RETURN FILED W ITH THE COMPTROLLER .
122+ (II) EXPLAIN TO THE HOMEOWNER WHY IT IS IN THE 19
123+HOMEOWNER ’S INTEREST TO WORK W ITH THE OMBUDSMAN . 20
145124
146- (5) THE DEPARTMENT OR VENDOR MAY PURCHASE TELEPHO NE
147-NUMBERS OF HOMEOWNER S FROM A PRIVATE SOU RCE TO CARRY OUT THI S SECTION.
125+ (6) THE CALLER MAY LEAVE THE INFORMATION REQU IRED UNDER 21
126+PARAGRAPH (5) OF THIS SUBSECTION I N A VOICEMAIL MESSAG E BUT SHALL MAKE 22
127+SUBSEQUENT CALLS IN AN EFFORT TO SPEAK T O THE HOMEOWNER DIRECTLY IF 23
128+REQUIRED UNDER PARAG RAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 24
148129
149- (E) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS
150-SECTION.
130+ (7) (I) IF THE CALLER SPEAKS TO THE HOMEOWNER , THE CALLER 25
131+SHALL OFFER TO TRANS FER THE HOMEOWNER DI RECTLY TO THE OMBUDSMAN ’S 26
132+OFFICE FOR ASSISTANC E AFTER PROVIDING TH E INFORMATION R EQUIRED UNDER 27
133+PARAGRAPH (5) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 28
151134
152-14–891.
135+ (II) IF THE CALLER LEAVES A VOICEMAIL MESSAGE FOR THE 29
136+HOMEOWNER OR IF THE HOMEOWNER DECLINES T O BE TRANSFERRED DIR ECTLY TO 30
137+THE OMBUDSMAN ’S OFFICE, THE CALLER SHALL PRO VIDE THE HOMEOWNER W ITH 31
138+THE OMBUDSMA N’S WEBSITE ADDRESS , E–MAIL ADDRESS , AND TELEPHONE 32
139+NUMBER. 33 4 HOUSE BILL 236
153140
154- (a) In this section, “Fund” means the Homeowner Protection Fund.
155141
156- (b) There is a Homeowner Protection Fund.
157142
158- (c) The purpose of the Fund is to finance the Program AND THE OUTREACH
159-CAMPAIGN UNDER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE .
143+ (D) (1) THE DEPARTMENT AND THE VE NDOR MAY USE ANY REL IABLE 1
144+PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SO URCE OF INFORMATION TO COMPILE THE LIST OF 2
145+HOMEOWNERS THE VENDO R IS REQUIRED TO CAL L UNDER THIS SECTION AND 3
146+THOSE HOMEOWNERS ’ TELEPHONE NUMBERS . 4
160147
161- (d) The Department shall administer the Fund.
148+ (2) AT THE REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT OR THE VEN DOR, EACH 5
149+STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT AGENCY SHALL PR OMPTLY PROVIDE ANY 6
150+INFORMATION REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT THIS SE CTION. 7
162151
163- (e) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of
164-the State Finance and Procurement Article.
152+ (3) PROMPTLY AFTER EACH C OUNTY TAX SALE , THE COLLECTOR 8
153+SHALL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OR VENDOR WITH THE LIST OF HOM EOWNERS 9
154+WHOSE DWELLINGS WERE SOLD AT THE TAX SALE . 10
165155
166- (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the
167-Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
156+ (4) NOTWITHSTANDING § 13–202 OF THE TAX–GENERAL ARTICLE, 11
157+AT THE REQUEST OF TH E DEPARTMENT OR VENDOR , THE COMPTROLLER SHALL 12
158+PROVIDE THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A HOMEOWNER THE VEND OR IS REQUIRED 13
159+TO CALL UNDER THIS S ECTION IF THE HOMEOW NER INCLUDED THE HOM EOWNER’S 14
160+TELEPHONE NUMBER ON A TAX RETURN FILED W ITH THE COMPTROLLER . 15
168161
169- (f) The Fund consists of:
162+ (5) THE DEPARTMENT OR VENDOR MAY PURCHASE TELEPHO NE 16
163+NUMBERS OF HOMEOWNER S FROM A PRIVATE SOU RCE TO CARRY OUT THI S SECTION. 17
170164
171- (1) tax and interest payments made to the Department by homeowners
172-enrolled in the Program;
165+ (E) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS 18
166+SECTION. 19
173167
174- (2) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;
168+14–891. 20
175169
176- (3) interest earnings; and
170+ (a) In this section, “Fund” means the Homeowner Protection Fund. 21
177171
178- (4) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the
179-Fund.
172+ (b) There is a Homeowner Protection Fund. 22
180173
181- (g) For each of fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025, the Governor shall include in
182-the annual budget bill an appropriation of $750,000 to the Fund.
183- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 316
174+ (c) The purpose of the Fund is to finance the Program AND THE OUTREACH 23
175+CAMPAIGN UNDER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE . 24
184176
185-– 5 –
186- (h) (1) The Fund may be used only for any expenses associated with the
187-Program AND THE OUTREACH CAM PAIGN UNDER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE .
177+ (d) The Department shall administer the Fund. 25
188178
189- (2) The Fund may not be used for any expenses of the office of the State
190-Tax Sale Ombudsman that are not directly related to the Program OR THE OUTREACH
191-CAMPAIGN UNDER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE .
179+ (e) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of 26
180+the State Finance and Procurement Article. 27
192181
193- (i) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same
194-manner as other State money may be invested.
182+ (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the 28
183+Comptroller shall account for the Fund. 29
195184
196- (2) Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.
185+ (f) The Fund consists of: 30
186+ HOUSE BILL 236 5
197187
198- (j) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State
199-budget.
200188
201- (k) The Fund is the exclusive source of funding for the Program AND THE
202-OUTREACH CAMPAIGN UN DER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE .
189+ (1) tax and interest payments made to the Department by homeowners 1
190+enrolled in the Program; 2
203191
204-14–880.
192+ (2) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; 3
205193
206- (a) Each year, the Department shall issue a report that includes:
194+ (3) interest earnings; and 4
207195
208- (1) an analysis and summary of the information collected through the
209-survey under § 14–879 of this part; and
196+ (4) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 5
197+Fund. 6
210198
211- (2) the following information concerning the activities of the State Tax Sale
212-Ombudsman established under § 2–112 of this article in the preceding taxable year:
199+ (g) For each of fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025, the Governor shall include in 7
200+the annual budget bill an appropriation of $750,000 to the Fund. 8
213201
214- (i) the number of homeowners who contacted the Ombudsman;
202+ (h) (1) The Fund may be used only for any expenses associated with the 9
203+Program AND THE OUTREACH CAM PAIGN UNDER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE . 10
215204
216- (ii) the number of homeowners assisted by the Ombudsman to apply
217-for each of the tax credits under § 9–104 or § 9–105 of this article;
205+ (2) The Fund may not be used for any expenses of the office of the State 11
206+Tax Sale Ombudsman that are not directly related to the Program OR THE OUTREACH 12
207+CAMPAIGN UNDER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE . 13
218208
219- (iii) the number of homeowners assisted by the Ombudsman to apply
220-for other discount programs or public benefits and a brief summary of those programs and
221-benefits;
209+ (i) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same 14
210+manner as other State money may be invested. 15
222211
223- (iv) the number of homeowners referred by the Ombudsman to legal
224-services, housing counseling, and other social services, and a brief summary of those
225-services;
212+ (2) Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. 16
226213
227- (v) the number of homeowners enrolled in the Homeowner
228-Protection Program under Part VII of this subtitle;
229- Ch. 316 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
214+ (j) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State 17
215+budget. 18
230216
231-– 6 –
232- (vi) a summary of the implementation of the Homeowner Protection
233-Program under Part VII of this subtitle, INCLUDING OUTREACH T O HOMEOWNERS
234-UNDER § 14–886(D) OF THIS SUBTITLE ;
217+ (k) The Fund is the exclusive source of funding for the Program AND THE 19
218+OUTREACH CAMPAIGN UN DER § 2–113 OF THIS ARTICLE . 20
235219
236- (vii) any statutory or administrative changes the Ombudsman
237-recommends to improve the administration of the Homeowner Protection Program under
238-Part VII of this subtitle; and
220+14–880. 21
239221
240- (viii) any other relevant information.
222+ (a) Each year, the Department shall issue a report that includes: 22
241223
242- (b) On or before November 15 each year, the Department shall:
224+ (1) an analysis and summary of the information collected through the 23
225+survey under § 14–879 of this part; and 24
243226
244- (1) publish the report required under subsection (a) of this section on the
245-Department’s website; and
227+ (2) the following information concerning the activities of the State Tax Sale 25
228+Ombudsman established under § 2–112 of this article in the preceding taxable year: 26
246229
247- (2) submit the report required under subsection (a) of this section, in
248-accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Budget and
249-Taxation Committee and the House Committee on Ways and Means.
230+ (i) the number of homeowners who contacted the Ombudsman; 27
250231
251-14–886.
232+ (ii) the number of homeowners assisted by the Ombudsman to apply 28
233+for each of the tax credits under § 9–104 or § 9–105 of this article; 29
234+ 6 HOUSE BILL 236
252235
253- (a) A homeowner shall submit an application to the Department to be enrolled in
254-the Program.
255236
256- (b) A homeowner may submit an application for the Program online or by mail.
237+ (iii) the number of homeowners assisted by the Ombudsman to apply 1
238+for other discount programs or public benefits and a brief summary of those programs and 2
239+benefits; 3
257240
258- (c) The Ombudsman shall:
241+ (iv) the number of homeowners referred by the Ombudsman to legal 4
242+services, housing counseling, and other social services, and a brief summary of those 5
243+services; 6
259244
260- (1) prominently advertise the Program and make applications available on
261-the Ombudsman’s website; and
245+ (v) the number of homeowners enrolled in the Homeowner 7
246+Protection Program under Part VII of this subtitle; 8
262247
263- (2) collaborate with local governments, community organizations, and
264-public and private providers of social services and benefits to raise awareness of the
265-Program and disseminate applications.
248+ (vi) a summary of the implementation of the Homeowner Protection 9
249+Program under Part VII of this subtitle, INCLUDING OUTREACH T O HOMEOWNERS 10
250+UNDER § 14–886(D) OF THIS SUBTITLE ; 11
266251
267- (D) (1) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT:
252+ (vii) any statutory or administrative changes the Ombudsman 12
253+recommends to improve the administration of the Homeowner Protection Program under 13
254+Part VII of this subtitle; and 14
268255
269- (I) AT LEAST 2% OF THE BALANCE IN TH E HOMEOWNER
270-PROTECTION FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 14–891 OF THIS SUBTITLE BE SPENT
271-EACH YEAR TO CONDUCT OUTREACH TO HOMEOWNE RS IN TAX SALE TO EN COURAGE
272-THE HOMEOWNERS TO EN ROLL IN THE PROGRAM;
256+ (viii) any other relevant information. 15
273257
274- (II) THE OUTREA CH CONSIST OF:
275- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 316
258+ (b) On or before November 15 each year, the Department shall: 16
276259
277-– 7 –
278- 1. LIVE TELEPHONE CALLS TO HOMEOWNERS
279-WHENEVER PRACTICABLE ; OR
260+ (1) publish the report required under subsection (a) of this section on the 17
261+Department’s website; and 18
280262
281- 2. IF LIVE TELEPHONE CA LLS ARE NOT PRACTICA BLE,
282-METHODS OF CONTACTIN G HOMEOWNERS OTHER T HAN SENDING INFORMAT ION BY
283-MAIL; AND
263+ (2) submit the report required under subsection (a) of this section, in 19
264+accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Budget and 20
265+Taxation Committee and the House Committee on Ways and Means. 21
284266
285- (III) PRIORITY BE GIVEN TO CONTACTING HOMEOWNERS AS
286-SOON AS POSSIBLE AFT ER THEIR DWELLINGS A RE SOLD AT TAX SALE .
267+14–886. 22
287268
288- (2) THE OMBUDSMAN MAY :
269+ (a) A homeowner shall submit an application to the Department to be enrolled in 23
270+the Program. 24
289271
290- (I) CONDUCT OUTREACH TO HOMEOWNERS USING STATE
291-EMPLOYEES AND RESOUR CES; OR
272+ (b) A homeowner may submit an application for the Program online or by mail. 25
292273
293- (II) CONTRACT WITH A PRIV ATE VENDOR TO CONDUC T
294-OUTREACH TO HOMEOWNE RS.
274+ (c) The Ombudsman shall: 26
295275
296- (3) AT THE REQUEST OF THE OMBUDSMAN :
276+ (1) prominently advertise the Program and make applications available on 27
277+the Ombudsman’s website; and 28
297278
298- (I) PROMPTLY AFTER EACH COUNTY TAX SALE , THE
299-COLLECTOR SHALL PROV IDE THE OMBUDSMAN WITH THE LI ST OF HOMEOWNERS
300-WHOSE DWELLINGS WERE SOLD AT THE TAX SALE ;
279+ (2) collaborate with local governments, community organizations, and 29
280+public and private providers of social services and benefits to raise awareness of the 30
281+Program and disseminate applications. 31
301282
302- (II) NOTWITHSTANDING § 13–202 OF THE TAX – GENERAL
303-ARTICLE, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PRO VIDE THE TELEPHONE N UMBER OF A
304-HOMEOWNER IF THE HOM EOWNER INCLUDED THE HOMEOWNER ’S TELEPHONE
305-NUMBER ON A TAX RETU RN FILED WITH THE COMPTROLLER ; AND
283+ (D) (1) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT : 32 HOUSE BILL 236 7
306284
307- (III) ANY OTHER STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT AGENCY SHALL
308-PROMPTLY PROVID E ANY INFORMATION RE QUIRED TO CONDUCT OU TREACH UNDER
309-THIS SUBSECTION .
310285
311- (4) THE OMBUDSMAN MAY OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM ANY
312-RELIABLE PRIVATE SOU RCE TO CONDUCT OUTRE ACH UNDER THIS SUBSE CTION.
313286
314- [(d)] (E) The Ombudsman shall cancel the enrollment of a homeowner in the
315-Program if:
287+ (I) AT LEAST 2% OF THE BALANCE IN TH E HOMEOWNER 1
288+PROTECTION FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 14–891 OF THIS SUBTITLE BE SPENT 2
289+EACH YEAR TO CONDUCT OUTREACH TO HOMEOWNE RS IN TAX SALE TO EN COURAGE 3
290+THE HOMEOWNERS TO EN ROLL IN THE PROGRAM; 4
316291
317- (1) the homeowner submits a request to the Ombudsman to withdraw from
318-the Program;
292+ (II) THE OUTREACH CONSIST OF: 5
319293
320- (2) the homeowner submitted false information in the homeowner’s
321-application for enrollment in the Program; or Ch. 316 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
294+ 1. LIVE TELEPHONE CALLS TO HOMEOWNERS 6
295+WHENEVER PRACTICABLE ; OR 7
322296
323-– 8 –
297+ 2. IF LIVE TELEPHONE CA LLS ARE NOT PRACTICA BLE, 8
298+METHODS OF CONTACTING HOMEOWNER S OTHER THAN SENDING INFORMATION BY 9
299+MAIL; AND 10
324300
325- (3) the Ombudsman determines that the homeowner is not acting in good
326-faith to pay the taxes due.
301+ (III) PRIORITY BE GIVEN TO CONTACTING HOMEOWNER S AS 11
302+SOON AS POSSIBLE AFT ER THEIR DWELLINGS A RE SOLD AT TAX SALE . 12
327303
328- [(e)] (F) If the Ombudsman cancels the enrollment of a homeowner in the
329-Program, the Ombudsman shall send a notice of the cancellation to the homeowner that
330-includes the reasons for cancellation.
304+ (2) THE OMBUDSMAN MAY : 13
331305
332- [(f)] (G) A homeowner’s enrollment in the Program ends on the earliest of:
306+ (I) CONDUCT OUTREACH TO HOMEOWNERS USING STATE 14
307+EMPLOYEES AND RESOUR CES; OR 15
333308
334- (1) the date the homeowner pays the full amount of the taxes owed to the
335-Department;
309+ (II) CONTRACT WITH A PRIV ATE VENDOR TO CONDUC T 16
310+OUTREACH TO HOMEOWNE RS. 17
336311
337- (2) the date that is 3 years after the date the homeowner first enrolled in
338-the Program; or
312+ (3) AT THE REQUEST OF THE OMBUDSMAN : 18
339313
340- (3) the date the homeowner’s enrollment in the Program is canceled under
341-subsection [(d)] (E) of this section.
314+ (I) PROMPTLY AFTER EACH COUNTY TAX SALE , THE 19
315+COLLECTOR SHALL PROV IDE THE OMBUDSMAN WITH THE LI ST OF HOMEOWNERS 20
316+WHOSE DWELLINGS WERE SOLD AT THE TAX SALE ; 21
342317
343- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
344-October 1, 2023.
318+ (II) NOTWITHSTANDING § 13–202 OF THE TAX – GENERAL 22
319+ARTICLE, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PRO VIDE THE TELEPHONE N UMBER OF A 23
320+HOMEOWNER IF THE HOM EOWNER INCLUDED THE HOMEOWNER ’S TELEPHONE 24
321+NUMBER ON A TAX RETU RN FILED WITH THE COMPTROLLER ; AND 25
345322
346-Approved by the Governor, May 3, 2023.
323+ (III) ANY OTHER STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT AGENCY SHALL 26
324+PROMPTLY PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION REQUIRED TO CONDUCT OUTREACH UNDER 27
325+THIS SUBSECTION . 28
326+
327+ (4) THE OMBUDSMAN MAY OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM ANY 29
328+RELIABLE PRIVATE SOU RCE TO CONDUCT OUTRE ACH UNDER THIS SUBSE CTION. 30
329+ 8 HOUSE BILL 236
330+
331+
332+ [(d)] (E) The Ombudsman shall cancel the enrollment of a homeowner in the 1
333+Program if: 2
334+
335+ (1) the homeowner submits a request to the Ombudsman to withdraw from 3
336+the Program; 4
337+
338+ (2) the homeowner submitted false information in the homeowner’s 5
339+application for enrollment in the Program; or 6
340+
341+ (3) the Ombudsman determines that the homeowner is not acting in good 7
342+faith to pay the taxes due. 8
343+
344+ [(e)] (F) If the Ombudsman cancels the enrollment of a homeowner in the 9
345+Program, the Ombudsman shall send a notice of the cancellation to the homeowner that 10
346+includes the reasons for cancellation. 11
347+
348+ [(f)] (G) A homeowner’s enrollment in the Program ends on the earliest of: 12
349+
350+ (1) the date the homeowner pays the full amount of the taxes owed to the 13
351+Department; 14
352+
353+ (2) the date that is 3 years after the date the homeowner first enrolled in 15
354+the Program; or 16
355+
356+ (3) the date the homeowner’s enrollment in the Program is canceled under 17
357+subsection [(d)] (E) of this section. 18
358+
359+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 19
360+October 1, 2023. 20
361+
362+
363+
364+
365+Approved:
366+________________________________________________________________________________
367+ Governor.
368+________________________________________________________________________________
369+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.
370+________________________________________________________________________________
371+ President of the Senate.