EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0848*
SENATE BILL 848
C9 3lr0858
CF HB 826
By: Senators Guzzone, Smith, and Watson
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2023
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment and Budget and Taxation
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 SENATE BILL 848
(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
TITLE, one or more individuals who occupy a residential dwelling unit, at least one of whom 4
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 SENATE BILL 848 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 Pro gram, 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 FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 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 LO NG–CONTINUED AND INDEFINITE DURAT ION, 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 SENATE BILL 848
(3) A DEVELOPMENTAL DISA BILITY AS DEFINED IN THE 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 INDIVIDU ALS 4
ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTA NCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 5
(2) “FAMILY” INCLUDES A PREFERENC E CATEGOR Y 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 F AMILY 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 MAXIM UM MONTHLY HOUSING 16
ASSISTANCE PAYMENT F OR 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 ADMINI STER 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 U NDER THIS SUBTITLE . 24
(K) “VOUCHER” MEANS A DOCUMENT ISS UED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A 25
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY TO A FAMILY THAT IS SELECTED TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE 26
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, WHICH DESCRIBES THE STATE PROGRAM AND 27
PROCEDURES UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 28
4–2902. 29 SENATE BILL 848 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 PROVIDE VOUCHERS AND 4
HOUSING ASSISTANCE P AYMENTS FOR LOW –INCOME FAMILIES THAT ARE 5
CURRENTLY ON A WAITI NG LIST UNDER THE FE DERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER 6
PROGRAM FOR HOUSING I N UNITS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLIC 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 VOU CHERS AND HOUSING 13
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ASSIST LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TH AT ARE ELIGIBLE 14
FOR BUT ARE NOT CURR ENTLY RECEIVING HOUS ING CHOICE VOUCHERS UNDER THE 15
FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 16
(2) IN POLITI CAL SUBDIVISIONS WIT H A PUBLIC HOUSING 17
AGENCY–ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER 18
PROGRAM, THE PUBLIC HOUSING A GENCY SHALL ADMINIST ER THE STATE 19
PROGRAM AND ISSUE VOU CHERS AND HOUSING AS SISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ASSIST 20
LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS T HAT 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 SUBT ITLE, 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 ASSISTANCE P AYMENT UNDER THE 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 SENATE BILL 848
(3) MEET LOW–INCOME ELIGIBILITY L IMITS UNDER THE FEDE RAL 1
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM OR INCOME REQ UIREMENTS AS 2
DETERMINED BY THE PU BLIC HOUSING AGENCY . 3
4–2906. 4
THE DEPARTMENT AND EACH P UBLIC HOUSING AGENCY SHALL PRIORITIZE 5
VOUCHERS AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYM ENTS FOR FAMILIES TH AT INCLUDE: 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 ASSISTANCE IS MADE , A FAMILY HAS 15 DAYS TO PROVIDE 13
DOCUMENTATION TO VER IFY THEIR INCOME WIT H 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 UNDE R THE STATE PROGRAM SHALL BE EXPE CTED 21
TO PAY A PROPORTION OF ITS MONTHLY ADJUS TED GROSS INCOME FOR RENT AND 22
UTILITIES, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC HOUSING 23
AGENCY. 24
4–2909. 25
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PA YMENTS FOR A FAMILY SHALL CONTINUE FOR U P TO 26
5 YEARS OR UNTIL A FED ERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER UNDER THE FE DERAL 27
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM BECOMES AVAIL ABLE, WHICHEVER OCCURS 28
FIRST. 29 SENATE BILL 848 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 FAMIL Y IS COMPOSED OF A 3
DISABLED INDIVIDUAL WHO IS THE HEAD OF H OUSEHOLD. 4
(B) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AG ENCY SHALL 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 PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY NOT INCLUDE A 8
LIVE–IN AIDE’S INCOME WHEN DETERM INING A FAMILY ’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 INSPE CTIONS 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 SHAL L OCCUR ON THE INITI AL LEASE DATE 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 S HALL 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 HOUSING Q UALITY STANDARDS IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO LEAS E THE 27
OWNER’S PROPERTIES TO FAMI LIES RECEIVING ASSIS TANCE UNDER THE STATE 28
PROGRAM. 29
4–2912. 30
8 SENATE BILL 848
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE THAT SUBSIDY STANDARDS 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 PUBLIC HOUSING AGENC Y MAY DENY 6
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM BY: 7
(I) DENYING LISTING ON T HE STATE PROGRAM LIST; 8
(II) DENYING A VOUCHER UN DER THE STATE PROGRAM; 9
(III) WITHDRAWING A STATE PROGRAM VOUCHER ; 10
(IV) REFUSING TO ENTER IN TO A CONTRACT FOR HOUSING 11
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ; OR 12
(V) REFUSING TO APPROVE A LEASE UNDER 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 TH E STATE PROGRAM IF THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C 23
HOUSING AGENCY FINDS 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 SENATE BILL 848 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 BY: 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 PUBLI C AGENCY SHALL TERMI NATE 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 O BTAIN 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 OFFEND ERS, FOR 10 YEARS FOLLO WING 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 PARTICIPAT ION OR CULPABILITY O F 25
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY ME MBERS, 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 AGENCY M AY 29
DENY ADMISSION INTO OR TERMINATE ASSISTA NCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM IF 30
A FAMILY MEMBER : 31
10 SENATE BILL 848
(1) VIOLATES ANY OBLIGAT IONS UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 1
(2) HAS BEEN EVICTED FRO M FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING WITHIN 2
THE PRECEDING 3 YEARS; 3
(3) HAS COMMITTED 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 CO NNECTION WITH ANOTHE R HOUS ING OR RENTAL 7
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ; 8
(5) BREACHES A REPAYMENT AGREEMENT TO PAY AMO UNTS OWED 9
TO THE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ; 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 FROM RESIDIN G IN A UNIT RENTED U SING 15
ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE PROGRAM. 16
(2) IN MAKING THE DETERMINATION UN DER PARAGRAPH (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 CULPAB ILITY OF 20
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY ME MBERS; 21
(III) MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES RELATE D TO THE DISABILITY 22
OF A FAMILY MEMBER ; AND 23
(IV) THE EFFECTS OF THE P ROHIBITION 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
SENATE BILL 848 11
(1) SUPPLY ANY INFORMATI ON 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 UTILITI ES THAT ARE NOT PAID THROUGH 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 INT EREST IN THE UNIT ; 10
(2) COMMIT FRAUD IN CON NECTION WITH THE STATE PROGRAM; OR 11
(3) SUBLEASE OR ASSIGN T HE LEASE OR TRANSFER THE UNIT. 12
4–2915. 13
THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL 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 PUB LIC 18
HOUSING AGENCY MAY D ENY OR TERMINATE ASS ISTANCE UNDER THE STATE 19
PROGRAM; AND 20
(3) THE PROCESS TO REQUE ST A HEARING. 21
4–2916. 22
THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUB LIC HOUSING AGENCY S HALL 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 SENATE BILL 848
(A) IF THE HEAD OF HOUSEH OLD WHO WAS RECEIVIN G ASSISTANCE UNDER 1
THE STATE PROGRAM DIES , A SURVIVING FAMILY M EMBER MAY RECEIVE TH E 2
ASSISTANCE. 3
(B) (1) IF AN ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS RECEI VING 4
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM DIES : 5
(I) A REMAINING ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL IN THE UN IT SHALL 6
RECEIVE THE ASSISTAN CE; OR 7
(II) HOUSING ASSISTANCE P AYMENTS SHALL TERMIN ATE. 8
(2) IF AN ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS RECEI VING 9
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM MOVES TO A FE DERALLY ASSISTED 10
LONG–TERM CARE FACILITY , THE HOUSING ASSISTAN CE PAYMENTS SHALL 11
TERMINATE. 12
4–2918. 13
ANY GUIDELINES ON THE TERMINATION OF ASSIS TANCE OR ON EVICTION S 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 YEARS 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 BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION 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 SPECIFI ED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION, 26
THE DEPARTMENT S HALL DISTRIBUTE 1% EACH YEAR TO PUBLIC HOUSING 27
AGENCIES TO HELP DEF RAY STAFFING EXPENSE S RELATED TO THE 28
ADMINISTRATION OF TH E FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM AND 29
THE STATE PROGRAM. 30
SENATE BILL 848 13
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A FORMULA FOR DI STRIBUTING 1
STATE PROGRAM FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND EACH P UBLIC HOUSING 2
AGENCY. 3
4–2920. 4
ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2024, AND EACH YEAR THEREA FTER, THE 5
DEPARTMENT AND EACH P OLITICAL SUBDIVISION THAT HAS A PUBLIC HO USING 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 LOCAT IONS WHERE FAMILIES RECEIVING 18
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN HOU SED; 19
(7) THE RACE AND GENDER OF INDIVIDUALS IN FA MILIES RECEIVING 20
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 21
(8) THE HOUSEHOLD SIZE F OR FAMILIES RECEIVIN G ASSISTANCE 22
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 23
(9) THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES RECEIVIN G ASSISTANCE UNDER T HE 24
STATE PROGRAM, BASED ON THE PREFERE NCES 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 O F TIME FROM APPLICATION INTO THE 29
STATE PROGRAM AND RECEIPT O F HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS; 30 14 SENATE BILL 848
(12) ANY REFERRALS MADE F OR FAMILIES UNDER TH E STATE 1
PROGRAM FOR WRAPAROUN D SERVICES, INCLUDING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 2
(13) ANY RESOURCES USED T O ADVERTISE 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