EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0826*
HOUSE BILL 826
C9 3lr0633
CF SB 848
By: Delegates Wilkins and Stewart
Introduced and read first time: February 8, 2023
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Statewide Rental Assistance Voucher Program – Establishment 2
FOR the purpose of establishing a Statewide Rental Assistance Voucher Program in the 3
Department of Housing and Community Development to provide vouchers and 4
housing assistance payments for low–income families that are on a certain federal 5
housing program waitlist; requiring the Department and public housing agencies to 6
administer the State Program; and generally relating to the Statewide Rental 7
Assistance Voucher Program. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Housing and Community Development 10
Section 4–101, 4–103, and 4–1401 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 13
BY adding to 14
Article – Housing and Community Development 15
Section 4–2901 through 4–2921 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 29. Statewide 16
Rental Assistance Voucher Program” 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 19
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21
Article – Housing and Community Development 22
4–101. 23
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
2 HOUSE BILL 826
(b) “Administration” means the Community Development Administration. 1
(c) “Division” means the Division of Development Finance. 2
(d) “Elderly household” means, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N § 4–2901 OF THIS 3
ARTICLE, one or more individuals who occupy a residential dwelling unit, at least one of 4
whom meets the age limit specified by the Secretary that: 5
(1) is greater than or equal to age 55; and 6
(2) may vary for different programs or types of projects. 7
(e) “Nonprofit sponsor” means a sponsor that is: 8
(1) a nonprofit organization; or 9
(2) a limited partnership, if: 10
(i) 1. each general partner is a nonprofit organization; or 11
2. each general partner is a wholly owned subsidiary of a 12
nonprofit organization; 13
(ii) the limited partnership is formed to undertake a project that is 14
eligible as a whole or in part for a federal program or incentive, including low–income 15
housing tax credits; and 16
(iii) a nonprofit organization manages the project or will receive the 17
net cash flow or residual sale proceeds on the sale of the project. 18
4–103. 19
The Division includes: 20
(1) the Community Development Administration; 21
(2) the Disaster Relief Housing Program; 22
(3) the Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program; 23
(4) federal and State weatherization programs; 24
(5) the Group Home Financing Program; 25
(6) the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program; 26
(7) the Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program; 27 HOUSE BILL 826 3
(8) the local government infrastructure program; 1
(9) the Maryland Home Financing Program; 2
(10) the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program; 3
(11) the Neighborhood Housing Services Fund; 4
(12) the Operating Assistance Grants Demonstration Projects; 5
(13) the Partnership Rental Housing Program; 6
(14) the Radium Grant Program; 7
(15) the Rental Allowance Program , THE STATEWIDE RENTAL 8
ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM, and other rental assistance programs; 9
(16) the Rental Housing Program; and 10
(17) the Self–Help Homeownership Technical Assistance Program. 11
4–1401. 12
In this subtitle, “programs” means rental assistance programs other than the Rental 13
Allowance Program established under § 4–1403 of this subtitle AND THE STATEWIDE 14
RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER SUBTITLE 29 OF 15
THIS TITLE. 16
SUBTITLE 29. STATEWIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 17
4–2901. 18
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWI NG WORDS HAVE THE ME ANINGS 19
INDICATED. 20
(B) “DISABLED” MEANS HAVING: 21
(1) A DISABILITY UNDER 42 U.S.C. § 423; 22
(2) A PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL IMPAIRM ENT THAT IS 23
EXPECTED TO BE OF LONG–CONTINUED AND INDEFINI TE DURATION, IS EXPECTED 24
TO SUBSTANTIALLY IMP EDE AN INDIVIDUAL ’S ABILITY TO LIVE IN DEPENDENTLY, 25
AND MAY BE IMPROVED BY MORE SUITABLE HOU SING OPTIONS; OR 26
4 HOUSE BILL 826
(3) A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABI LITY AS DEFINED IN T HE FEDERAL 1
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT. 2
(C) “ELDERLY” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS AT LEAST 62 YEARS OLD. 3
(D) (1) “FAMILY” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS 4
ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 5
(2) “FAMILY” INCLUDES A PREFERENCE CATEGORY ESTABLISHED 6
UNDER § 4–2906(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 7
(E) “HOUSING ASSISTANCE PA YMENT” MEANS THE MONTHLY AS SISTANCE 8
PAYMENT PAID FOR A FAMILY UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 9
(F) “HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM” MEANS THE PROGRAM 10
ESTABLISHED UNDER 24 C.F.R. PART 982. 11
(G) “LIVE–IN AIDE” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT: 12
(1) MEETS THE REQUIREMEN TS UNDER 24 C.F.R. § 5.403; AND 13
(2) RESIDES WITH AN ELDE RLY OR DISABLED INDI VIDUAL WHO 14
RECEIVES ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 15
(H) “PAYMENT STANDARD ” MEANS THE MAXIMUM MONTHLY HOUSING 16
ASSISTANCE PAYMENT FOR A FAMILY ASSISTED UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 17
(I) (1) “PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ” MEANS AN ENTITY AUTH ORIZED BY 18
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO ADMINISTER 19
THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM IN THE STATE. 20
(2) “PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ” DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 21
DEPARTMENT . 22
(J) “STATE PROGRAM” MEANS THE STATEWIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE 23
VOUCHER PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE . 24
(K) “VOUCHER” MEANS A DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A 25
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENC Y TO A FAMILY THAT I S SELECTED TO RECEIV E ASSISTANCE 26
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, WHICH DESCRIBES THE STATE PROGRAM AND 27
PROCEDURES UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 28
4–2902. 29 HOUSE BILL 826 5
THERE IS A STATEWIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM IN THE 1
DEPARTMENT . 2
4–2903. 3
THE PURPOSE OF THE STATE PROGRAM IS TO P ROVIDE VOUCHERS AND 4
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS FOR LOW–INCOME FAMILIES THAT ARE 5
CURRENTLY ON A WAITI NG LIST UNDER THE FE DERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER 6
PROGRAM FOR HOUSING IN UNITS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C 7
HOUSING AGENCY , IN ACCORDANCE WITH G UIDELINES UNDER THE FEDERAL 8
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 9
4–2904. 10
(A) (1) IN POLITICAL SUBDIVIS IONS WITHOUT A LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR 11
UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT 12
SHALL ADMINISTER THE STATE PROGRAM AND ISSUE VOUCHERS A ND HOUSING 13
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ASSIST LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE 14
FOR BUT ARE NOT CURR ENTLY RECEIVING HOUS ING CHOICE VOU CHERS UNDER THE 15
FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 16
(2) IN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS WITH A PUBLIC HOUSIN G 17
AGENCY–ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER 18
PROGRAM, THE PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY SHALL ADMINISTER THE STATE 19
PROGRAM AND ISSUE VOUCHERS A ND HOUSING ASSISTANC E PAYMENTS TO ASSIST 20
LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TH AT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BUT ARE NOT CURRENTL Y 21
RECEIVING HOUSING CH OICE VOUCHERS UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE 22
VOUCHER PROGRAM. 23
(B) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE P ROVIDED IN THIS SU BTITLE, THE STATE 24
PROGRAM SHALL BE ADMI NISTERED IN ACCORDAN CE WITH FEDERAL GUID ELINES 25
UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 26
4–2905. 27
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HOUSING ASSIST ANCE PAYMENT UNDER T HE STATE 28
PROGRAM, A FAMILY SHALL: 29
(1) RESIDE IN THE STATE; 30
(2) BE ON A FEDERAL HOUS ING CHOICE VOUCHER W AITING LIST; AND 31
6 HOUSE BILL 826
(3) MEET LOW–INCOME ELIGIBILITY L IMITS UNDER THE FEDE RAL 1
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM OR INCOME REQUIREMEN TS AS 2
DETERMINED BY THE PU BLIC HOUSING AGENCY . 3
4–2906. 4
THE DEPARTMENT AND EACH PUBLIC HOUSING AGENC Y SHALL PRIORITIZE 5
VOUCHERS AND HOUSING ASSISTAN CE PAYMENTS FOR FAMILIES THAT INCLUD E: 6
(1) A CHILD WHO IS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 YEARS; 7
(2) A MILITARY VETERAN ; 8
(3) AN INDIVIDUAL EXPERI ENCING HOMELESSNESS ; 9
(4) A DISABLED INDIVIDUA L; OR 10
(5) AN ELDERLY INDIVIDUA L. 11
4–2907. 12
WHEN AN OFFER OF ASSI STANCE IS MADE, A FAMILY HAS 15 DAYS TO PROVIDE 13
DOCUMENTATION TO VER IFY THEIR INCOME WITH THE DEPARTMENT OR THE 14
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENC Y. 15
4–2908. 16
(A) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL CALCULATE 17
PAYMENT STANDARDS AN D HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS UNDER THE STATE 18
PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES FOR THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE 19
VOUCHER PROGRAM. 20
(B) A FAMILY ASSISTED UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM SHALL BE EXPECTED 21
TO PAY A PROPORTION OF ITS MONTHLY ADJUS TED GROSS INCOME FOR RENT AND 22
UTILITIES, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUBLIC HOUSING 23
AGENCY. 24
4–2909. 25
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PA YMENTS FOR A FAMILY SHALL CONTINUE FOR UP TO 26
5 YEARS OR UNTIL A FED ERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER UNDER THE FEDERAL 27
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM BECOMES AVAILABLE , WHICHEVER OCCURS 28
FIRST. 29 HOUSE BILL 826 7
4–2910. 1
(A) A FAMILY MAY REQUEST T HAT THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C 2
HOUSING AGENCY APPRO VE A LIVE–IN AIDE IF THE FAMILY IS COMP OSED OF A 3
DISABLED INDIVIDUAL WHO IS TH E HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD . 4
(B) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL APPROVE A 5
LIVE–IN AIDE IF A LIVE–IN AIDE IS REQUIRED AS A REASONABLE ACCO MMODATION 6
UNDER 24 C.F.R. § 8.11. 7
(C) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY MAY NOT INCLUDE A 8
LIVE–IN AIDE’S INCOME WHEN DETERMINING A F AMILY’S INCOME ELIGIBILITY 9
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 10
4–2911. 11
(A) (1) (I) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL 12
CONDUCT ANNUAL INSPECTION S OF EACH UNIT RENTED USING HOUSING 13
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ENSURE THE CONTIN UED COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL 14
HOUSING QUALITY STAN DARDS UNDER 24 C.F.R. § 982.401. 15
(II) INSPECTIONS SHALL OCC UR ON THE INITIAL LEASE DA TE 16
AND EACH YEAR THEREA FTER. 17
(2) FOR A UNIT LOCATED IN A BUILDING WITH 3 TO 49 UNITS, THE 18
PROPERTY OWNER SHALL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC HOUSING 19
AGENCY WITH A CERTIF ICATE OF OCCUPANCY T HAT HAS BEEN COMPLET ED WITHIN 20
1 YEAR. 21
(3) FOR A UNIT LOCATED IN A BUILDING WITH 50 UNITS OR MORE, 22
THE PROPERTY OWNER SHALL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC 23
HOUSING AGENCY WITH AN INSPECTION CERTIF ICATE. 24
(B) A PROPERTY OWNER WHO H AS RECEIVED THREE OR MORE PENALTY 25
NOTICES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY FOR A VIOLATION 26
OF FEDERAL H OUSING QUALITY STAND ARDS IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO LEASE THE 27
OWNER’S PROPERTIES TO FAMILIES RECEIVIN G ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE 28
PROGRAM. 29
4–2912. 30
8 HOUSE BILL 826
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE THAT SUBSIDY STAN DARDS FOR UNIT 1
SELECTION COMPLY WIT H FEDERAL GUIDELINES UNDER THE HOUSING CHOICE 2
VOUCHER PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE MANDAT E TO PROVIDE FOR THE SMALLEST 3
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS N EEDED TO HOUSE A FAM ILY WITHOUT OVERCROW DING. 4
4–2913. 5
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY DENY 6
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM BY: 7
(I) DENYING LISTING ON T HE STATE PROGRAM LIST; 8
(II) DENYING A VOUCHER UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 9
(III) WITHDRAWING A STATE PROGRAM VOUCHER; 10
(IV) REFUSING TO ENTER IN TO A CONTRACT FOR HO USING 11
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ; OR 12
(V) REFUSING TO APPROVE A LEASE UNDE R THE STATE 13
PROGRAM. 14
(2) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL DENY 15
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM TO: 16
(I) SEX OFFENDERS WHO AR E SUBJECT TO A LIFET IME 17
REGISTRATION REQUIRE MENT UNDER A STATE SEX OFFENDER RE GISTRATION 18
PROGRAM; AND 19
(II) ALL OTHER SEX OFFEND ERS, FOR 10 YEARS FOLLOWING 20
THEIR CONVICTION FOR A SEX–RELATED CRIME . 21
(3) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY DENY 22
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM IF THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C 23
HOUSING AGENCY FIND S THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL IN A FAMILY HAS BEEN CONVICTED 24
OF: 25
(I) A DRUG–RELATED CRIME UNDER STATE LAW; OR 26
(II) A VIOLENT CRIME. 27
(4) IF THE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY DENIE S 28
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC 29 HOUSE BILL 826 9
HOUSING AGENCY SHALL PROMPTLY PROVIDE THE APPLICANT WITH A NOT ICE 1
EXPLAINING THE DENIA L AND INDICATING THA T THE APPLICANT MAY REQUEST AN 2
INFORMAL REVIEW . 3
(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY 4
TERMINATE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM B Y: 5
(I) REFUSING TO ENTER IN TO A STATE PROGRAM CONTRACT ; 6
(II) REFUSING TO APPROVE A LEASE UNDER THE STATE 7
PROGRAM; OR 8
(III) TERMINATING HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS UNDER A 9
STATE PROGRAM CONTRACT . 10
(2) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLIC AGENCY SHALL TERMINATE 11
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM FOR : 12
(I) FAMILIES WHO WERE EV ICTED UNDER THE STATE 13
PROGRAM FOR SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF THE LE ASE; 14
(II) FAMILIES WHO FAIL TO SIGN ANY FORMS FROM THE 15
DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY IND ICATING CONSENT TO OBTAIN 16
INFORMATION ; 17
(III) SEX OFFENDERS SUBJEC T TO A LIFETIME REGI STRATION 18
REQUIREMENT UNDER A STATE SEX OFFENDER RE GISTRATION PROGRAM ; 19
(IV) ALL OTHER SEX OFFENDERS , FOR 10 YEARS FOLLOWING 20
THEIR CONVICTION FOR A SEX–RELATED CRIME UNDER STATE LAW; AND 21
(V) FAMILIES THAT ARE AB SENT FROM A STATE PROGRAM UNIT 22
FOR MORE THAN 180 CONSECUTIVE DAYS . 23
(C) AFTER CONSIDERING ALL RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANC ES, INCLUDING THE 24
SERIOUSNESS OF THE C ASE, THE EXTENT OF PARTIC IPATION OR CULPABILI TY OF 25
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY MEMBERS , MITIGATING CIRCUMSTA NCES RELATED TO THE 26
DISABILITY OF A FAMI LY MEMBER, AND THE EFFECTS OF D ENIAL OR TERMINATION 27
OF ASSISTANCE ON OTH ER FAMILY MEMBERS WH O WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE 28
ACTION OR FAILURE , THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC HOUSING AGEN CY MAY 29
DENY ADMISSION INTO OR TERMINATE AS SISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM IF 30
A FAMILY MEMBER : 31
10 HOUSE BILL 826
(1) VIOLATES ANY OBLIGAT IONS UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 1
(2) HAS BEEN EVICTED FROM FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING WIT HIN 2
THE PRECEDING 3 YEARS; 3
(3) HAS COMMITT ED FRAUD, BRIBERY, OR ANY OTHER CORRUPT OR 4
CRIMINAL ACT IN CONN ECTION WITH THE STATE PROGRAM; 5
(4) OWES A FINANCIAL OBL IGATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC 6
HOUSING AGENCY IN CONNECTION WITH ANOTHER HOUSING OR RENTAL 7
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ; 8
(5) BREACHES A REPAYMENT AGREEMENT TO PAY AMOUNTS OWED 9
TO THE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC HOUSING AG ENCY; OR 10
(6) HAS ENGAGED IN OR TH REATENED ABUSIVE OR VIOLENT 11
BEHAVIOR TOWARD DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY EMPLO YEES. 12
(D) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY PROHIBIT 13
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OR WERE CULPABLE FOR ACTIONS 14
SPECIFIED UNDER THIS SECTION F ROM RESIDING IN A UNIT RENTED USING 15
ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE PROGRAM. 16
(2) IN MAKING THE DETERMI NATION UNDER PARAGRA PH (1) OF THIS 17
SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY CONSIDER: 18
(I) THE SERIOUSNESS OF T HE CASE; 19
(II) THE EXTENT OF PARTIC IPATION BY OR CULPABILITY OF 20
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY ME MBERS; 21
(III) MITIGATING CIRCUMSTA NCES RELATED TO THE DISABILITY 22
OF A FAMILY MEMBER; AND 23
(IV) THE EFFECTS OF THE PROHIBITION ON OTHER FAMILY 24
MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE ACTI ON OR FAILURE. 25
4–2914. 26
(A) A FAMILY THAT RECEIVES A VOUCHER UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM 27
SHALL: 28
HOUSE BILL 826 11
(1) SUPPLY ANY INFORMATIO N TO THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC 1
HOUSING AGENCY NECES SARY FOR THE ADMINIS TRATION OF THE STATE PROGRAM; 2
(2) NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC HOUSING AGENCY 3
BEFORE VACATING THE UNIT; 4
(3) USE THE UNIT ONLY AS A PRINCIPAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE; AND 5
(4) MAINTAIN ALL UTILITIES THA T ARE NOT PAID THROU GH THE 6
HOUSING ASSISTANCE P AYMENT. 7
(B) A FAMILY THAT RECEIVES A VOUCHER UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM 8
MAY NOT: 9
(1) HAVE A FINANCIAL INTE REST IN THE UNIT; 10
(2) COMMIT FRAUD IN CONNE CTION WITH THE STATE PROGRAM; OR 11
(3) SUBLEASE OR ASSIGN TH E LEASE OR TRANSFER THE UNIT. 12
4–2915. 13
THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY SHALL GIVE EACH FAMILY 14
THAT RECEIVES ASSIST ANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM A WRITTEN 15
DESCRIPTION OF : 16
(1) THE FAMILY’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 17
(2) THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUBLIC 18
HOUSING AGENCY MAY DENY OR TERMINAT E ASSISTANCE UNDER T HE STATE 19
PROGRAM; AND 20
(3) THE PROCESS TO REQUES T A HEARING. 21
4–2916. 22
THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL RECERTIFY A 23
FAMILY FOR CONTINUED ADMISSION UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, IN 24
ACCORDANCE WITH FEDE RAL GUIDELINES UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE 25
VOUCHER PROGRAM. 26
4–2917. 27
12 HOUSE BILL 826
(A) IF THE HEAD OF HOUSE HOLD WHO WAS RECEIVING AS SISTANCE UNDER 1
THE STATE PROGRAM DIES, A SURVIVING F AMILY MEMBER MAY REC EIVE THE 2
ASSISTANCE. 3
(B) (1) IF AN ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS RECEIVING 4
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM DIES: 5
(I) A REMAINING ELDERLY IN DIVIDUAL IN THE UNIT SHALL 6
RECEIVE THE ASSISTANCE; OR 7
(II) HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS SHALL TERMI NATE. 8
(2) IF AN ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS RECEIVING 9
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM MOVES TO A FEDERALLY ASSISTED 10
LONG–TERM CARE FACILITY , THE HOUSING ASSISTAN CE PAYMENTS SHALL 11
TERMINATE. 12
4–2918. 13
ANY GUIDELINES ON THE TERMINATION OF A SSISTANCE OR ON EVICTIONS 14
ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY UND ER THIS 15
SUBTITLE SHALL BE AT LEAST AS PROTECTIVE OF TENANTS’ RIGHTS AS GUIDELINES 16
ESTABLISHED UNDER TH E FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 17
4–2919. 18
(A) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR S 2025, 2026, AND 2027, THE GOVERNOR SHALL 19
INCLUDE IN THE ANNUA L BUDGET BILL AN APP ROPRIATION OF $15,000,000 TO THE 20
DEPARTMENT FOR THE STATE PROGRAM. 21
(2) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2028 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , 22
THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN APPROPRIATIO N 23
SUFFICIENT TO FUND A T LEAST THE SAME NUM BER OF VOUCHERS ISSU ED IN THE 24
PRIOR FISCAL YEAR . 25
(B) OF THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED UNDER SUBS ECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION, 26
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DISTRIBUTE 1% EACH YEAR TO PUBLIC HOUSING 27
AGENCIES TO HELP DEF RAY STAFFING EXPENSES RELATED TO THE 28
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM AND 29
THE STATE PROGRAM. 30
HOUSE BILL 826 13
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP A FORMULA FO R DISTRIBUTING 1
STATE PROGRAM FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND EACH PUBLIC HOUSING 2
AGENCY. 3
4–2920. 4
ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2024, AND EACH YEAR THEREA FTER, THE 5
DEPARTMENT AND EACH POLITICAL S UBDIVISION THAT HAS A PUBLIC HOUSING 6
AGENCY SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 7
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 8
(1) THE NUMBER OF FAMILI ES RECEIVING ASSISTA NCE UNDER THE 9
STATE PROGRAM; 10
(2) COMPLIANCE WITH INCO ME ELIGIBILITY REQUI REMENTS UNDER 11
THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM; 12
(3) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS RECEIVED ; 13
(4) THE NUMBER OF HOUSEH OLDS TERMINATED FROM THE STATE 14
PROGRAM; 15
(5) THE INCOMES OF FAMIL IES RECEIVING ASSIST ANCE UNDER THE 16
STATE PROGRAM; 17
(6) THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS WHERE FAMILIES RECEI VING 18
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN HOUSED ; 19
(7) THE RACE AND GENDER OF INDIVIDUALS IN FAMILIES RECEIVING 20
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 21
(8) THE HOUSEHOLD SIZE F OR FAMILIES RECEIVING ASSISTAN CE 22
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 23
(9) THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES RECEIVIN G ASSISTANCE UNDER THE 24
STATE PROGRAM, BASED ON THE PREFERENCES LISTED IN § 4–2905(B) OF THIS 25
SUBTITLE; 26
(10) THE LENGTH OF TIME T HAT EACH FAMILY HAS RECEIVED 27
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 28
(11) THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TI ME FROM APPLICATION INTO THE 29
STATE PROGRAM AND RECEIPT O F HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS; 30 14 HOUSE BILL 826
(12) ANY REFERRALS MADE F OR FAMILIES UNDER TH E STATE 1
PROGRAM FOR WRAPAROUND SERVICES, INCLUDING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 2
(13) ANY RESOURCES USED TO AD VERTISE THE STATE PROGRAM. 3
4–2921. 4
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLE MENT THIS SUBTITLE . 5
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 6
October 1, 2023. 7