EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDE D TO EXISTING LAW .
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0848*
SENATE BILL 848
C9 3lr0858
CF HB 826
By: Senators Guzzone, Smith, and Watson Augustine, Brooks, Hester, Kagan,
Lewis Young, M. Washington, and Watson
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2023
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment and Budget and Taxation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 13, 2023
CHAPTER ______
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 2 SENATE BILL 848
Article – Housing and Community Development 1
4–101. 2
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(b) “Administration” means the Community Development Administration. 4
(c) “Division” means the Division of Development Finance. 5
(d) “Elderly household” means, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N § 4–2901 OF THIS 6
TITLE, one or more individuals who occupy a residential dwelling unit, at least one of whom 7
meets the age limit specified by the Secretary that: 8
(1) is greater than or equal to age 55; and 9
(2) may vary for different programs or types of projects. 10
(e) “Nonprofit sponsor” means a sponsor that is: 11
(1) a nonprofit organization; or 12
(2) a limited partnership, if: 13
(i) 1. each general partner is a nonprofit organization; or 14
2. each general partner is a wholly owned subsidiary of a 15
nonprofit organization; 16
(ii) the limited partnership is formed to undertake a project that is 17
eligible as a whole or in part for a federal program or incentive, including low–income 18
housing tax credits; and 19
(iii) a nonprofit organization manages the project or will receive the 20
net cash flow or residual sale proceeds on the sale of the project. 21
4–103. 22
The Division includes: 23
(1) the Community Development Administration; 24
(2) the Disaster Relief Housing Program; 25
(3) the Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program; 26
SENATE BILL 848 3
(4) federal and State weatherization programs; 1
(5) the Group Home Financing Program; 2
(6) the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program; 3
(7) the Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program; 4
(8) the local government infrastructure program; 5
(9) the Maryland Home Financing Program; 6
(10) the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program; 7
(11) the Neighborhood Housing Services Fund; 8
(12) the Operating Assistance Grants Demonstration Projects; 9
(13) the Partnership Rental Housing Program; 10
(14) the Radium Grant Program; 11
(15) the Rental Allowance Program , THE STATEWIDE RENTAL 12
ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM, and other rental assistance programs; 13
(16) the Rental Housing Program; and 14
(17) the Self–Help Homeownership Technical Assistance Program. 15
4–1401. 16
In this subtitle, “programs” means rental assistance programs other than the Rental 17
Allowance Program established under § 4–1403 of this subtitle AND THE STATEWIDE 18
RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER SUBTITLE 29 OF 19
THIS TITLE. 20
SUBTITLE 29. STATEWIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 21
4–2901. 22
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 23
INDICATED. 24
(B) “DISABLED” MEANS HAVING : 25
(1) A DISABILITY UNDER 42 U.S.C. § 423; 26 4 SENATE BILL 848
(2) A PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL IMPAIRM ENT THAT IS 1
EXPECTED TO BE OF LO NG–CONTINUED AND INDEFI NITE DURATION , IS EXPECTED 2
TO SUBSTANTIALLY IMP EDE AN INDIVIDUAL ’S ABILITY TO LIVE INDE PENDENTLY, 3
AND MAY BE IMPROVED BY MORE SUITABLE HOU SING OPTIONS; OR 4
(3) A DEVELOPMENTAL DISA BILITY AS DEFINED IN THE FEDERAL 5
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT. 6
(B) “DISABILITY” MEANS A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT 7
SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVIT Y. 8
(C) “ELDERLY” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS AT LEAST 62 YEARS OLD. 9
(D) (1) “FAMILY” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDU ALS 10
ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTA NCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 11
(2) “FAMILY” INCLUDES A PREFERENC E CATEGORY ESTABLISH ED 12
UNDER § 4–2906(B) § 4–2906 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 13
(E) “HOUSING ASSISTANCE PA YMENT” MEANS THE MONTHLY AS SISTANCE 14
PAYMENT PAID FOR A F AMILY UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 15
(F) “HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM” MEANS THE PROGRAM 16
ESTABLISHED UNDER 24 C.F.R. PART 982. 17
(G) “LIVE–IN AIDE” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT: 18
(1) MEETS THE REQUIREMEN TS UNDER 24 C.F.R. § 5.403; AND 19
(2) RESIDES WITH AN ELDE RLY OR DISABLED INDI VIDUAL WHO 20
RECEIVES ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 21
(H) “PAYMENT STANDARD ” MEANS THE MAXIMUM MO NTHLY HOUSING 22
ASSISTANCE PAYMENT F OR A FAMILY ASSISTED UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 23
(I) (1) “PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ” MEANS AN ENTITY AUTH ORIZED BY 24
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO ADMINI STER 25
THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM IN THE STATE. 26
(2) “PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ” DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 27
DEPARTMENT . 28
SENATE BILL 848 5
(J) “STATE PROGRAM” MEANS THE STATEWIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE 1
VOUCHER PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER THIS SUBTITLE . 2
(K) “VOUCHER” MEANS A DOCUMENT ISS UED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A 3
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENC Y TO A FAMILY THAT I S SELECTED TO RECEIV E ASSISTANCE 4
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, WHICH DESCRIBES THE STATE PROGRAM AND 5
PROCEDURES UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 6
4–2902. 7
THERE IS A STATEWIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM IN THE 8
DEPARTMENT . 9
4–2903. 10
THE PURPOSE OF THE STATE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE VOUCHERS AND 11
HOUSING ASSISTANCE P AYMENTS FOR LOW –INCOME FAMILIES THAT ARE 12
CURRENTLY ON A WAITI NG LIST UNDER THE FE DERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER 13
PROGRAM FOR HOUSING I N UNITS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C 14
HOUSING AGENCY , IN ACCORDANCE WITH G UIDELINES UNDER THE FEDERAL 15
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 16
4–2904. 17
(A) (1) IN POLITICAL SUBDIVIS IONS WITHOUT A LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR 18
UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT 19
SHALL ADMINISTER THE STATE PROGRAM AND ISSUE VOU CHERS AND HOUSING 20
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ASSIST LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE 21
FOR BUT ARE NOT CURR ENTLY RECEIVING HOUS ING CHOICE VOUCHERS UNDER THE 22
FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 23
(2) IN POLITICAL SUBDIVIS IONS WITH A PUBLIC H OUSING 24
AGENCY–ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER 25
PROGRAM, THE PUBLIC HOUSING A GENCY SHALL ADMINIST ER THE STATE 26
PROGRAM AND ISSUE VOU CHERS AND HOUSING AS SISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ASSIST 27
LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TH AT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BUT ARE NOT CURRENTL Y 28
RECEIVING HOUSING CH OICE VOUCHERS UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE 29
VOUCHER PROGRAM. 30
(B) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE P ROVIDED IN THIS SUBT ITLE, THE STATE 31
PROGRAM SHALL BE ADMI NISTERED IN ACCORDAN CE WITH FEDERAL GUID ELINES 32
UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 33
4–2905. 34 6 SENATE BILL 848
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT U NDER THE STATE 1
PROGRAM, A FAMILY SHALL: 2
(1) RESIDE IN THE STATE; 3
(2) BE ON A FEDERAL HOUS ING CHOICE VOUCHER W AITING LIST; AND 4
(3) MEET LOW–INCOME ELIGIBILITY L IMITS UNDER THE FEDE RAL 5
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM OR INCOME REQ UIREMENTS AS 6
DETERMINED BY THE PU BLIC HOUSING AGENCY . 7
4–2906. 8
THE DEPARTMENT AND EACH P UBLIC HOUSING AGENCY SHALL EQUALLY 9
PRIORITIZE VOUCHERS AND HOUSING ASSISTAN CE PAYMENTS FOR FAMI LIES THAT 10
INCLUDE: 11
(1) A CHILD WHO IS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 18 YEARS; 12
(2) A FOSTER CHILD WHO I S UNDER THE AGE OF 18; 13
(3) A MILITARY VETERAN ; 14
(3) (4) AN INDIVIDUAL EXPERI ENCING HOMELESSNESS ; 15
(4) (5) A DISABLED INDIVIDUA L; OR 16
(5) (6) AN ELDERLY INDIVIDUA L. 17
4–2907. 18
WHEN AN OFFER OF ASSI STANCE IS MADE , A FAMILY HAS 15 30 DAYS TO 19
PROVIDE DOCUMENTATIO N TO VERIFY THEIR IN COME WITH THE DEPARTMENT OR 20
THE PUBLIC HOUSING A GENCY. 21
4–2908. 22
(A) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL CALCULATE 23
PAYMENT STANDARDS AN D HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAY MENTS UNDER THE STATE 24
PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES FOR THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE 25
VOUCHER PROGRAM. 26
(B) A FAMILY ASSISTED UNDE R THE STATE PROGRAM SHALL BE EXPE CTED 27
TO PAY A PROPORTION NOT MORE THAN 30% OF ITS MONTHLY ADJUS TED GROSS 28 SENATE BILL 848 7
INCOME FOR RENT AND UTILITIES, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR THE 1
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENC Y. 2
4–2909. 3
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PA YMENTS FOR A FAMILY SHALL CONTINUE FOR U P TO 4
5 YEARS OR UNTIL A FED ERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER UNDER THE FE DERAL 5
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM BECOMES AVAIL ABLE, WHICHEVER OCCURS 6
FIRST. 7
4–2910. 8
(A) A FAMILY MAY REQUEST T HAT THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C 9
HOUSING AGENCY APPRO VE A LIVE–IN AIDE IF THE FAMILY IS COM POSED OF A 10
DISABLED INDIVIDUAL WHO IS THE HEAD OF H OUSEHOLD TO PROVIDE NECESSARY 11
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS A PERSON WITH A 12
DISABILITY. 13
(B) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL APPROVE A 14
LIVE–IN AIDE IF A LIVE–IN AIDE IS REQUIRED AS A REASONABLE ACCO MMODATION 15
UNDER 24 C.F.R. § 8.11 REASONABLY MODIFY ITS P OLICIES, PROCEDURES , AND 16
RULES TO ALLOW A FAM ILY THAT INCLUDES A PERSON WITH A DISABI LITY TO HAVE 17
A LIVE–IN AIDE. 18
(C) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY NOT INCLUDE A 19
LIVE–IN AIDE’S INCOME WHEN DETERM INING A FAMILY ’S INCOME ELIGIBILITY 20
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM. 21
4–2911. 22
(A) (1) (I) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL 23
CONDUCT ANNUAL INSPE CTIONS OF EACH UNIT RENTED USING HOUSING 24
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ENSURE THE CONTIN UED COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL 25
HOUSING QUALITY ST ANDARDS UNDER 24 C.F.R. § 982.401. 26
(II) (2) INSPECTIONS SHALL OCC UR ON OR BEFORE THE 27
INITIAL LEASE DATE A ND EACH YEAR THEREAF TER. 28
(2) (B) FOR A UNIT LOCATED IN A BUILDING WITH 3 TO 49 UNITS, 29
THE PROPERTY OWNER S HALL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUBLIC 30
HOUSING AGENCY WITH A CERTIFICATE OF OCC UPANCY THAT HAS BEEN 31
COMPLETED WITHIN 1 YEAR. 32
8 SENATE BILL 848
(3) (C) FOR A UNIT LOCATED IN A BUILDING WITH 50 UNITS OR 1
MORE, THE PROPERTY OWNER S HALL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC 2
HOUSING AGENCY WITH AN INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. 3
(B) A PROPERTY OWNER WHO H AS RECEIVED THREE OR MORE PENALTY 4
NOTICES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY FOR A VIOLATION 5
OF FEDERAL HOUSING Q UALITY STANDARDS IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO LEAS E THE 6
OWNER’S PROPERTIES TO FAMI LIES RECEIVING ASS ISTANCE UNDER THE STATE 7
PROGRAM. 8
4–2912. 9
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE THAT SUBSIDY STAN DARDS FOR UNIT 10
SELECTION COMPLY WIT H FEDERAL GUIDELINES UNDER THE HOUSING CHOICE 11
VOUCHER PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE MANDAT E TO PROVIDE FOR THE SMALLEST 12
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS NEEDED TO HOUSE A FA MILY WITHOUT OVERCRO WDING. 13
4–2913. 14
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY DENY 15
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM BY: 16
(I) DENYING LISTING ON T HE STATE PROGRAM LIST; 17
(II) (I) DENYING A VOUCHER UN DER THE STATE PROGRAM; 18
(III) (II) WITHDRAWING A STATE PROGRAM VOUCHER ; 19
(IV) (III) REFUSING TO ENTER IN TO A CONTRACT FOR HO USING 20
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ; OR 21
(V) (IV) REFUSING TO APPROVE A LEASE UNDER THE STATE 22
PROGRAM. 23
(2) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHALL DENY 24
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM TO: 25
(I) SEX OFFENDERS WHO AR E SUBJECT TO A LIFET IME 26
REGISTRATION REQUIRE MENT UNDER A STATE SEX OFFENDER RE GISTRATION 27
PROGRAM; AND 28
(II) ALL OTHER SEX OFFEND ERS, FOR 10 YEARS FOLLOWING 29
THEIR CONVICTION FOR A SEX –RELATED CRIME . 30
SENATE BILL 848 9
(3) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY DENY 1
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM IF THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C 2
HOUSING AGENCY FINDS THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL IN A FAMILY RESIDING IN A UNIT 3
RENTED USING ASSISTA NCE FROM THE STATE PROGRAM HAS BEEN CONVICTED O F: 4
(I) A DRUG–RELATED CRIME UNDER STATE LAW; OR 5
(II) A VIOLENT CRIME . 6
(4) IF THE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY DENIE S 7
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC 8
HOUSING AGENCY SHALL PROMPTLY PROVI DE THE APPLICANT WIT H A NOTICE 9
EXPLAINING THE DENIA L AND INDICATING THA T THE APPLICANT MAY REQUEST AN 10
INFORMAL REVIEW . 11
(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY 12
TERMINATE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM BY: 13
(I) REFUSING TO ENTER INTO A STATE PROGRAM CONTRACT ; 14
(II) REFUSING TO APPROVE A LEASE UNDER THE STATE 15
PROGRAM; OR 16
(III) TERMINATING HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS UNDER A 17
STATE PROGRAM CONTRACT . 18
(2) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C AGENCY SHALL TERMI NATE 19
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM FOR : 20
(I) FAMILIES WHO WERE EV ICTED UNDER THE STATE 21
PROGRAM FOR SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF THE LE ASE; 22
(II) FAMILIES WHO FAIL TO SIGN ANY FORMS FROM THE 23
DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY IND ICATING CONSENT TO O BTAIN 24
INFORMATION ; AND 25
(III) SEX OFFENDERS SUBJEC T TO A LIFETIME REGI STRATION 26
REQUIREMENT UNDER A STATE SEX OFFENDER RE GISTRATION PROGRAM ;. 27
(IV) ALL OTHER SEX OFFEND ERS, FOR 10 YEARS FOLLOWING 28
THEIR CONVICTION FOR A SEX–RELATED CRIME UNDER STATE LAW; AND 29
(V) FAMILIES THAT ARE AB SENT FROM A STATE PROGRAM UNIT 30
FOR MORE THAN 180 CONSECUTIVE DAYS . 31 10 SENATE BILL 848
(C) AFTER CONSIDERING WHEN DETERMINING THE DENIAL OR 1
TERMINATION OF ASSIS TANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT 2
MAY CONSIDER ALL RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANCES , INCLUDING THE SERIOU SNESS OF 3
THE CASE, THE EXTENT OF PARTIC IPATION OR CULPABILI TY OF INDIVIDUAL FAM ILY 4
MEMBERS, MITIGATING CIRCUMSTA NCES RELATED TO THE DISABILITY OF A FAMI LY 5
MEMBER, AND THE EFFECTS OF D ENIAL OR TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE ON 6
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT INVOLVE D IN THE ACTION OR F AILURE, 7
THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC HOUSING AGENCY M AY DENY ADMISSION INTO 8
OR TERMINATE ASSISTA NCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM IF A FAMILY MEMBER : 9
(1) VIOLATES ANY OBLIGAT IONS UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 10
(2) HAS BEEN EVICTED FRO M FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING FOR 11
VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACT IVITY THAT THREATENE D THE HEALTH , SAFETY, OR 12
WELFARE OF OTHER RES IDENTS WITHIN THE PRECEDING 3 YEARS; 13
(3) HAS COMMITTED FRAUD , BRIBERY, OR ANY OTHER CORRUPT OR 14
CRIMINAL ACT IN CONNECTION WITH THE STATE PROGRAM; 15
(4) OWES A FINANCIAL OBL IGATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC 16
HOUSING AGENCY IN CO NNECTION WITH ANOTHE R HOUSING OR RENTAL 17
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ; 18
(5) BREACHES A REPAYMENT AGREEMENT TO PAY AMO UNTS OWED 19
TO THE DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC HOU SING AGENCY; OR 20
(6) HAS ENGAGED IN OR TH REATENED ABUSIVE OR VIOLENT 21
BEHAVIOR TOWARD DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY EMPLO YEES, THE 22
PROPERTY OWNER OR PR OPERTY MANAGEMENT ST AFF, OR OTHER RESIDENTS ; OR 23
(7) RECEIVES ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM AND IS 24
ABSENT FROM THE UNIT FOR MORE THAN 180 CONSECUTIVE DAYS . 25
(D) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY PROHIBIT 26
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OR WERE CULPABLE FOR ACTIONS 27
SPECIFIED UNDER THIS SECTION FROM RESIDING IN A UNIT R ENTED USING 28
ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE PROGRAM. 29
(2) IN MAKING THE DETERMI NATION UNDER PARAGRA PH (1) OF THIS 30
SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY MAY CONSIDER: 31
(I) THE SERIOUSNESS OF T HE CASE; 32
SENATE BILL 848 11
(II) THE EXTENT OF PARTICIPATION BY OR CULPABILITY OF 1
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY ME MBERS; 2
(III) MITIGATING CIRCUMSTA NCES RELATED TO THE DISABILITY 3
OF A FAMILY MEMBER ; AND 4
(IV) THE EFFECTS OF THE P ROHIBITION ON OTHER FAMILY 5
MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE ACTI ON OR FAILURE. 6
4–2914. 7
(A) A FAMILY THAT RECEIVES A VOUCHER UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM 8
SHALL: 9
(1) SUPPLY ANY INFORMATI ON TO THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC 10
HOUSING AGENCY NECES SARY FOR THE ADMINIS TRATION OF THE STATE PROGRAM; 11
(2) NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUBLIC HOUSING AGENC Y 12
BEFORE VACATING THE UNIT; 13
(3) USE THE UNIT ONLY AS A PRINCIPAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE; AND 14
(4) MAINTAIN ALL UTILITI ES THAT ARE NOT PAID THROUGH THE 15
HOUSING ASSISTANCE P AYMENT. 16
(B) A FAMILY THAT RECEIVES A VOUCHER UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM 17
MAY NOT: 18
(1) HAVE A FINANCIAL INT EREST IN THE UNIT OWN THE UNIT THAT 19
THE ASSISTANCE IS PR OVIDED FOR; 20
(2) COMMIT FRAUD IN CONN ECTION WITH THE STATE PROGRAM; OR 21
(3) SUBLEASE OR ASSIGN T HE LEASE OR TRANSFER THE UNIT; OR 22
(4) ALLOW ANYONE NOT ON THE UNIT LEAS E TO RESIDE IN THE U NIT. 23
4–2915. 24
THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL GIVE EACH FAMILY 25
THAT RECEIVES ASSIST ANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM A WRITTEN 26
DESCRIPTION OF : 27
(1) THE FAMILY’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 28
12 SENATE BILL 848
(2) THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OR THE PUB LIC 1
HOUSING AGENCY MAY D ENY OR TERMINATE ASS ISTANCE UNDER THE STATE 2
PROGRAM; AND 3
(3) THE PROCESS TO REQUE ST A AN INFORMAL HEARING. 4
4–2916. 5
THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY SHA LL RECERTIFY A 6
FAMILY FOR CONTINUED ADMISSION UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM, IN 7
ACCORDANCE WITH FEDE RAL GUIDELINES UNDER THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE 8
VOUCHER PROGRAM. 9
4–2917. 10
(A) IF THE HEAD OF HOUSEH OLD WHO WAS RECEIVIN G ASSISTANCE UNDER 11
THE STATE PROGRAM DIES , A SURVIVING FAMILY M EMBER MAY CONTINUE TO 12
RECEIVE THE ASSISTAN CE IF THE HOUSEHOLD IS SOLELY OCCUPIED BY R EMAINING 13
FAMILY MEMBERS IN AC CORDANCE WITH THIS S UBTITLE. 14
(B) (1) IF AN ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS RECEI VING 15
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM DIES : 16
(I) A REMAINING ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL IN THE UN IT SHALL 17
RECEIVE THE ASSISTAN CE; OR 18
(II) HOUSING ASSISTANCE P AYMENTS SHALL TERMIN ATE. 19
(2) IF AN ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS RECEI VING 20
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM MOVES TO A FE DERALLY ASSISTED 21
LONG–TERM CARE FACILITY , THE HOUSING ASSISTAN CE PAYMENTS SHALL 22
TERMINATE. 23
4–2918. 24
ANY GUIDELINES ON THE TERMINATION OF ASSIS TANCE OR ON EVICTION S 25
ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR A PUBLI C HOUSING AGENCY UND ER THIS 26
SUBTITLE SHALL BE AT LEAST AS PROTECTIVE OF TENANTS’ RIGHTS AS GUIDELINES 27
ESTABLISHED UNDER TH E FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM. 28
4–2919. 29
SENATE BILL 848 13
(A) (1) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025, 2026, AND 2027, THE GOVERNOR SHALL 1
INCLUDE IN THE ANNUA L BUDGET BILL AN APP ROPRIATION OF $15,000,000 TO THE 2
DEPARTMENT FOR THE STATE PROGRAM. 3
(2) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2028 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTE R, 4
THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION 5
SUFFICIENT TO FUND A T LEAST THE SAME NUM BER OF VOUCHERS ISSU ED IN THE 6
PRIOR FISCAL YEAR . 7
(B) OF THE AMOUNT SPECIFI ED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION, 8
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DIST RIBUTE 1% 6% EACH YEAR TO PUBLIC HOUSING 9
AGENCIES TO HELP DEF RAY STAFFING EXPENSE S RELATED TO THE 10
ADMINISTRATION OF TH E FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM AND 11
THE STATE PROGRAM. 12
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A FORMULA FOR DI STRIBUTING 13
STATE PROGRAM FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND EACH P UBLIC HOUSING 14
AGENCY. 15
4–2920. 16
ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2024, AND EACH YEAR THEREA FTER, THE 17
DEPARTMENT AND EACH P OLITICAL SUBDIVISION THAT HAS A PUBLIC HO USING 18
AGENCY SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WIT H § 2–1257 19
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 20
(1) THE NUMBER OF FAMILI ES RECEIVING ASSISTA NCE UNDER THE 21
STATE PROGRAM; 22
(2) COMPLIANCE WITH INCO ME ELIGIBILITY REQUI REMENTS UNDER 23
THE FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM; 24
(3) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS RECEIVED ; 25
(4) THE NUMBER OF HOUSEH OLDS TERMINATED FROM THE STATE 26
PROGRAM; 27
(5) THE INCOMES OF FAMIL IES RECEIVING ASSIST ANCE UNDER THE 28
STATE PROGRAM; 29
(6) THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCAT IONS WHERE FAMILIES RECEIVING 30
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN HOU SED; 31
14 SENATE BILL 848
(7) THE RACE AND GENDER OF INDIVIDUALS IN FA MILIES RECEIVING 1
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 2
(8) THE HOUSEHOLD SIZE F OR FAMILIES RECEIVIN G ASSISTANCE 3
UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 4
(9) THE NUMBER OF FAMILI ES RECEIVING ASSISTA NCE UNDER THE 5
STATE PROGRAM, BASED ON THE PREFERE NCES LISTED IN § 4–2905(B) 4–2906 OF 6
THIS SUBTITLE; 7
(10) THE LENGTH OF TIME T HAT EACH FAMILY HAS RECEIVED 8
ASSISTANCE UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM; 9
(11) THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME FROM APPLICATION INTO THE 10
STATE PROGRAM AND RECEIPT O F HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS; 11
(12) ANY REFERRALS MADE F OR FAMILIES UNDER TH E STATE 12
PROGRAM FOR WRAPAROUN D SERVICES, INCLUDING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 13
(13) ANY RESOURCES USED T O ADVERTISE THE STATE PROGRAM; 14
(14) THE DISABILITY STATU S OF HOUSEHOLDS SERV ED; AND 15
(15) THE NUMBER OF HOUSEH OLDS IN WHICH STATE PROGRAM 16
ASSISTANCE ENDED WIT HOUT THE HOUSEHOLDS HAVING RECEIVED FEDE RAL 17
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCH ERS. 18
4–2921. 19
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLE MENT THIS SUBTITLE . 20
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21
October 1, 2023. 22