EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1557*
HOUSE BILL 1557
N1, I2, I1 EMERGENCY BILL 5lr3637
By: Delegate Feldmark
Rules suspended
Introduced and read first time: March 11, 2025
Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Program to Protect Individuals Unemployed or Furloughed Due to Federal 2
Actions – Establishment 3
FOR the purpose of establishing the Program to Protect Individuals Unemployed or 4
Furloughed Due to Federal Actions; requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to 5
administer the Program; establishing certain consumer protections relating to debt 6
collection, consumer credit reporting, loan payments, payments for certain utility 7
services, foreclosure and failure to pay rent actions, and tax sales of certain dwellings 8
for individuals who are unemployed or furloughed as a result of certain federal 9
actions; applying certain provisions of this Act retroactively; and generally relating 10
to the Program to Protect Individuals Unemployed or Furloughed Due to Federal 11
Actions. 12
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
Article – Commercial Law 14
Section 14–201, 14–1212.1(b)(2)(i) and (ii) and (c)(5), and 14–1225 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY adding to 18
Article – Commercial Law 19
Section 14–202.1 and 14–1212.4 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
Article – Commercial Law 24
Section 14–1203 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 27 2 HOUSE BILL 1557
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 1
Article – Financial Institutions 2
Section 1–101(a), (d), (i), (j), and (n), 8–101(a) and (i), 11–501(a), (c), (k), (l), and (n), 3
and 11–601(a) and (q) 4
Annotated Code of Maryland 5
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 6
BY adding to 7
Article – Financial Institutions 8
Section 5–514, 6–606.1, 9–409, 11–501(b–1), 11–522, and 11–605.1 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 12
Article – Public Utilities 13
Section 1–101(a), (d), and (z) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
BY adding to 17
Article – Public Utilities 18
Section 7–307.5 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 22
Article – Real Property 23
Section 7–105.1(a)(1) and (8), (b–1), (q), and (s) and 8–401(a) and (d) 24
Annotated Code of Maryland 25
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 26
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 27
Article – Real Property 28
Section 7–105.1(a)(12) 29
Annotated Code of Maryland 30
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 31
BY adding to 32
Article – Real Property 33
Section 7–105.1(a)(12) and (13) and (b–2), 8–121, and 8–401(d–1) 34
Annotated Code of Maryland 35
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 36
BY adding to 37
Article – State Government 38 HOUSE BILL 1557 3
Section 9–4101 through 9–4105 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 41. Program 1
to Protect Individuals Unemployed or Furloughed Due to Federal Actions” 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 3
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 4
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 5
Article – Tax – Property 6
Section 1–101(a) and (e) 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
BY adding to 10
Article – Tax – Property 11
Section 14–811(j) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 15
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 16
Article – Commercial Law 17
14–201. 18
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 19
(b) “Collector” means a person collecting or attempting to collect an alleged debt 20
arising out of a consumer transaction. 21
(c) “Consumer transaction” means any transaction involving a person seeking or 22
acquiring real or personal property, services, money, or credit for personal, family, or 23
household purposes. 24
(d) “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, 25
estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common 26
interest, or any other legal or commercial entity. 27
14–202.1. 28
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE MEANINGS 29
INDICATED. 30
(2) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 31
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 32
4 HOUSE BILL 1557
(3) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 1
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A QUALIFIED INDIV IDUAL WHO 3
SUBMITS TO A COLLECTOR : 4
(1) VERIFICATION THAT THE CONSUMER IS A QUALIF IED 5
INDIVIDUAL; AND 6
(2) A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PL AN. 7
(C) A COLLECTOR: 8
(1) SHALL ACCEPT PARTIAL PAYMENTS FOR AN ALLEGED DEBT FROM 9
A QUALIFIED INDIVIDU AL; AND 10
(2) MAY NOT: 11
(I) IMPOSE A LATE FEE OR PENALTY ON AN ALLEGED DEBT 12
OWED BY A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ; OR 13
(II) REPOSSESS PROPERTY FR OM A QUALIFIED INDIV IDUAL. 14
14–1203. 15
(a) Except as authorized under subsection (b) of this section, no consumer 16
reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of 17
information: 18
(1) Bankruptcies which, from date of adjudication of the most recent 19
bankruptcy, antedate the report by more than 10 years; 20
(2) Suits and judgments which, from date of entry, antedate the report by 21
more than seven years or until the governing statute of limitations has expired, whichever 22
is the longer period; 23
(3) Paid tax liens which, from date of payment, antedate the report by more 24
than seven years; 25
(4) Accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which 26
antedate the report by more than seven years; 27
(5) Records of arrest, indictment, or conviction of crime which, from date of 28
disposition, release, or parole, antedate the report by more than seven years; or 29
HOUSE BILL 1557 5
(6) Any other adverse item of information which antedates the report by 1
more than seven years. 2
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section are not applicable in the case of 3
any consumer credit report to be used in connection with: 4
(1) A credit transaction involving, or which may reasonably be expected to 5
involve, a principal amount of $150,000 or more; 6
(2) The underwriting of life insurance involving, or which may reasonably 7
be expected to involve, a face amount of $150,000 or more; or 8
(3) The employment of any individual at an annual salary which equals, or 9
which may reasonably be expected to equal, $75,000 or more. 10
(C) NO CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY MAY MAKE ANY CONSUMER 11
REPORT CONTAINING AD VERSE CREDIT INFORMA TION FOR A CONSUMER WHILE THE 12
CONSUMER IS A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL , AS DEFINED IN § 9–4101 OF THE STATE 13
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 14
14–1212.1. 15
(b) (2) This section does not apply to: 16
(i) A check services or fraud prevention services company that 17
issues: 18
1. Reports on incidents of fraud; or 19
2. Authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing 20
negotiable instruments, electronic funds transfers, or similar payment methods; 21
(ii) A deposit account information service company that issues 22
reports regarding account closures due to fraud, substantial overdrafts, automated teller 23
machine abuse, or similar negative information regarding a consumer to inquiring banks 24
or other financial institutions for use only in reviewing a consumer request for a deposit 25
account at the inquiring bank or financial institution; or 26
(c) (5) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a consumer 27
reporting agency is not required to place a security freeze on a consumer report if the 28
consumer reporting agency: 29
1. Acts only as a reseller of credit information by assembling 30
and merging information contained in a database of another consumer reporting agency or 31
multiple consumer reporting agencies; and 32
6 HOUSE BILL 1557
2. Does not maintain a permanent database of credit 1
information from which new consumer reports are produced. 2
(ii) A consumer reporting agency that acts as a reseller of credit 3
information shall honor a security freeze placed on a consumer report by another consumer 4
reporting agency. 5
14–1212.4. 6
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 7
INDICATED. 8
(2) “ADVERSE INFORMATION F REEZE” MEANS A RESTRICTION 9
PLACED ON A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S RECORD IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HIS 10
SECTION THAT PROHIBITS THE CONSUME R REPORTING AGENCY F ROM ADDING 11
ADVERSE INFORMATION TO A QUALIFIED INDIV IDUAL’S CONSUMER REPORT. 12
(3) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF 13
LABOR. 14
(4) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEAN ING STATED IN § 9–4101 15
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 16
(5) “RECORD” MEANS A COMPILATION OF INFORMATION THAT : 17
(I) IDENTIFIES A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ; 18
(II) IS CREATED BY A CONSU MER REPORTING AGENCY SOLELY 19
FOR THE PURPOSE OF C OMPLYING WITH THIS S ECTION; AND 20
(III) MAY NOT BE CREATED OR USED TO CONSIDER THE 21
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S CREDITWORTHINESS , CREDIT STANDING , CREDIT 22
CAPACITY, CHARACTER , GENERAL REPUTATION , PERSONAL CHARACTERIS TICS, OR 23
MODE OF LIVING FOR A NY PURPOSE LISTED IN § 14–1201(E)(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 24
(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO THE USE OF A QUALIFIED 25
INDIVIDUAL’S CONSUMER REPORT OR RECORD BY: 26
(1) A PERSON ADMINISTERING A CREDIT FILE MONITO RING 27
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE TO WHICH: 28
(I) THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL HAS SUBSCRIBED ; OR 29
HOUSE BILL 1557 7
(II) THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL HAS 1
SUBSCRIBED ON BEHALF OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ; 2
(2) A PERSON PROVIDING THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL A COPY OF 3
THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S CONSUMER REPORT ON REQUEST OF THE QUALIFIED 4
INDIVIDUAL; OR 5
(3) AN ENTITY LISTED IN § 14–1212.1(B)(2)(I) OR (II) OR (C)(5) OF 6
THIS SUBTITLE. 7
(C) (1) A CONSUMER REPORTING A GENCY SHALL PLACE A N ADVERSE 8
INFORMATION FREEZE FOR A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL FOR WHOM THE DEPARTMENT 9
REQUESTS AN ADVERSE INFORMATI ON FREEZE UNDER SUBS ECTION (G) OF THIS 10
SECTION WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE REQUEST . 11
(2) IF A CONSUMER REPORTI NG AGENCY DOES NOT H AVE A FILE 12
PERTAINING TO A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE CONSUMER RE PORTING 13
AGENCY RECEIVES A RE QUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT , THE CONSUMER 14
REPORTING AGENCY SHA LL CREATE A RECORD FOR THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL . 15
(D) UNLESS AN ADVERSE INFORMATION FREEZE FOR A QUALIFIED 16
INDIVIDUAL IS REMOVED IN ACCORD ANCE WITH SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION, 17
A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY MAY NOT ADD ADVERSE INFORMAT ION TO A 18
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S CONSUMER REPORT . 19
(E) AN ADVERSE INFORMATION FREEZE FOR A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL 20
PLACED UNDER SUBSECT ION (C) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L REMAIN IN EFFECT U NTIL 21
THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL IS NO LONGER ELIGIBL E FOR THE PROGRAM TO 22
PROTECT INDIVIDUALS UNEMPLOYED OR FURLOUGHED DUE TO FEDERAL 23
ACTIONS ESTABLISHED U NDER TITLE 9, SUBTITLE 41 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 24
ARTICLE. 25
(F) A CONSUMER REPORTING A GENCY MAY NOT CHARGE A FEE FOR ANY 26
ACTION TAKEN TO COMP LY WITH THIS SECTION. 27
(G) (1) AT LEAST ANNUALLY, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SEND TO EACH 28
CONSUMER REPORTING A GENCY BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION A LIST OF 29
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL S. 30
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQU EST AN ADVERSE INFORMATION 31
FREEZE FOR EACH QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ON THE LIS T SPECIFIED UNDER 32
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION O N BEHALF OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL . 33
8 HOUSE BILL 1557
(3) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT A REQUEST FOR AN 1
ADVERSE INFORMATION FREEZE TO A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY BY 2
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISS ION TO THE E –MAIL ADDRESS OF THE CONSUMER 3
REPORTING AGENCY OR OTHER POINT OF CONTA CT IN THE MANNER SPE CIFIED BY 4
THE CONSUMER REPORTI NG AGENCY. 5
(II) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WI TH 6
A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY CONCERNING TH E TRANSMISSION OF 7
INFORMATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND A CONSU MER REPORTING AGENCY 8
TO FACILITATE THE IM PLEMENTATION OF THIS SUBSECTION. 9
(H) A CONSUMER REPORTING A GENCY MAY REMOVE AN ADVERSE 10
INFORMATION FREEZE FOR A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL OR DELETE A RECORD O F A 11
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL IF THE ADVERSE INFORMATION FREEZE WAS PLACED OR 12
THE RECORD WAS CREAT ED BASED ON A MATERI AL MISREPRESENTATION OF FACT 13
BY THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL . 14
(I) A PERSON MAY NOT REPOR T ADVERSE INFORMATIO N THAT IS SUBJECT 15
TO AN ADVERSE INFORM ATION FREEZE UNDER T HIS SECTION TO A CONSUMER 16
REPORTING AGENCY . 17
(J) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, THE EXCLUSIVE 18
REMEDY FOR A VIOLATI ON OF THIS SECTION S HALL BE A COMPLAINT FILED WITH 19
THE COMMISSIONER UNDER § 14–1225 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 20
14–1225. 21
(a) Any consumer who has reason to believe that this subtitle, or any other law 22
regulating consumer credit reporting, has been violated by any person may file with the 23
Commissioner a complaint setting forth the details of an alleged violation. 24
(b) After receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner may inspect the pertinent 25
books, records, letters and contracts of any agency, and of any person who has furnished 26
information to the agency relating to the specific written complaint. 27
Article – Financial Institutions 28
1–101. 29
(a) In this article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following 30
words have the meanings indicated. 31
(d) “Banking institution” means an institution that is incorporated under the 32
laws of this State as a State bank, trust company, or savings bank. 33
HOUSE BILL 1557 9
(i) “Credit union” means a credit union that is incorporated under the laws of this 1
State as a credit union. 2
(j) “Financial institution” means any financial institution of the type supervised 3
under this article, whether or not State–chartered. 4
(n) “Mortgage” includes a deed of trust that secures a debt or the performance of 5
an obligation. 6
5–514. 7
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 8
INDICATED. 9
(2) “CONVENTIONAL HOME MOR TGAGE LOAN ” HAS THE MEANING 10
STATED IN § 11–501 OF THIS ARTICLE. 11
(3) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 12
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 13
(4) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 14
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 15
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A BANKING INSTITUTION THAT MADE A 16
CONVENTIONAL HOME MO RTGAGE LOAN TO A QUALIFIED INDIVIDU AL WHO SUBMITS 17
TO THE BANKING INSTITUTION : 18
(1) VERIFICATION THAT THE CUSTOMER IS A QUALIF IED INDIVIDUAL; 19
AND 20
(2) A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PL AN TO PAY ANY MISSED PAYMENTS FOR 21
THE BORROWER ’S MORTGAGE AFTER THE BORROW ER IS NO LONGER A QU ALIFIED 22
INDIVIDUAL. 23
(C) A BANKING INSTITUTION : 24
(1) SHALL ACCEPT FROM A QUALIFIED IND IVIDUAL A PARTIAL 25
PAYMENT OF ANY LOAN PAYMENTS DUE; AND 26
(2) MAY NOT IMPOSE A LATE FEE OR PENALT Y ON A QUALIFIED 27
INDIVIDUAL FOR THE N ONPAYMENT OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S MORTGAGE . 28
6–606.1. 29
10 HOUSE BILL 1557
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 1
INDICATED. 2
(2) “CONVENTIONAL HOME MOR TGAGE LOAN ” HAS THE MEANING 3
STATED IN § 11–501 OF THIS ARTICLE. 4
(3) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 5
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6
(4) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A CREDIT UNI ON THAT MADE A 9
CONVENTIONAL HOME MO RTGAGE LOAN TO A QUA LIFIED INDIVIDUAL WH O SUBMITS 10
TO THE CREDIT UNION : 11
(1) VERIFICATION THAT THE CUSTOMER IS A QUALIF IED INDIVIDUAL; 12
AND 13
(2) A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PL AN TO PAY ANY MISSED PAYMENTS F OR 14
THE BORROWER ’S MORTGAGE AFTER THE BORROWER IS NO LONGE R A QUALIFIED 15
INDIVIDUAL. 16
(C) A CREDIT UNION: 17
(1) SHALL ACCEPT FROM A QUALIFIED IND IVIDUAL A PARTIAL 18
PAYMENT OF ANY LOAN PAYMENT DUE; AND 19
(2) MAY NOT IMPOSE A LATE FEE OR PENALT Y ON A QUALIFIED 20
INDIVIDUAL FOR THE N ONPAYMENT OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S MORTGAGE . 21
8–101. 22
(a) In this title and in Title 9, the following words have the meanings indicated. 23
(i) “Savings and loan association” or “association” means, unless the context 24
clearly requires otherwise, a corporation that is chartered under the laws of this State as a 25
savings and loan association. 26
9–409. 27
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 28
INDICATED. 29
HOUSE BILL 1557 11
(2) “CONVENTIONAL HOME MORTGAGE LOAN ” HAS THE MEANING 1
STATED IN § 11–501 OF THIS ARTICLE. 2
(3) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 3
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 4
(4) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 5
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNME NT ARTICLE. 6
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A SAVINGS AND LOAN ASS OCIATION 7
THAT MADE A CONVENTI ONAL HOME MORTGAGE L OAN TO A QUALIFIED I NDIVIDUAL 8
WHO SUBMITS TO THE SAVINGS AND LOAN ASS OCIATION: 9
(1) VERIFICATION THAT THE CUSTOMER IS A QUALIF IED INDIVIDUAL; 10
AND 11
(2) A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PL AN TO PAY ANY MISSED PAYMENTS FOR 12
THE BORROWER ’S MORTGAGE AFTER THE BORROWER IS NO LONGE R A QUALIFIED 13
INDIVIDUAL. 14
(C) A SAVINGS AND LOAN ASS OCIATION: 15
(1) SHALL ACCEPT FROM A QUALIFIED IND IVIDUAL A PARTIAL 16
PAYMENT OF ANY LOAN PAYMENT DUE; AND 17
(2) MAY NOT IMPOSE A LATE FEE OR PENALT Y ON A QUALIFIED 18
INDIVIDUAL FOR THE N ONPAYMENT OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S MORTGAGE . 19
11–501. 20
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 21
(B–1) (1) “CONVENTIONAL HOME MOR TGAGE LOAN ” MEANS ANY LOAN 22
PRIMARILY FOR PERSON AL, FAMILY, OR HOUSEHOLD USE THA T IS SECURED BY A 23
MORTGAGE , DEED OF TRUST , OR OTHER EQUIVALENT CONSENSUAL SECURITY 24
INTEREST ON A DWELLI NG OR RESIDENTIAL RE AL ESTATE ON WHICH A DWELLING 25
IS CONSTRUCTED OR INTEN DED TO BE CONSTRUCTE D. 26
(2) “CONVENTIONAL HOME MOR TGAGE LOAN” DOES NOT INCLUDE A 27
LOAN THAT IS INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT . 28
(c) (1) “Dwelling” means a residential structure or mobile home that contains 29
one to four family housing units or individual units of condominiums or cooperatives. 30
12 HOUSE BILL 1557
(2) “Dwelling” does not include a residential structure or mobile home 1
unless the residential structure or mobile home, or at least one unit contained in the 2
residential structure or mobile home, is owner–occupied. 3
(k) (1) “Mortgage lender” means any person who: 4
(i) Is a mortgage broker; 5
(ii) Makes a mortgage loan to any person; or 6
(iii) Is a mortgage servicer. 7
(2) “Mortgage lender” does not include: 8
(i) A financial institution that accepts deposits and is regulated 9
under Title 3, Title 4, Title 5, or Title 6 of this article; 10
(ii) The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; 11
(iii) The Federal National Mortgage Association; 12
(iv) The Government National Mortgage Association; 13
(v) Any person engaged exclusively in the acquisition of all or any 14
portion of a mortgage loan under any federal, State, or local governmental program of 15
mortgage loan purchases; or 16
(vi) An affiliated insurance producer–mortgage loan originator 17
licensed under § 11–603.1 of this title. 18
(l) (1) “Mortgage lending business” means the activities set forth in the 19
definition of “mortgage lender” in subsection (k) of this section which require that person 20
to be licensed under this subtitle. 21
(2) “Mortgage lending business” includes the making or procuring of 22
mortgage loans secured by a dwelling or residential real estate located outside Maryland. 23
(n) “Mortgage loan originator” has the meaning stated in § 11–601 of this title. 24
11–522. 25
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 26
INDICATED. 27
(2) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 28
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 29 HOUSE BILL 1557 13
(3) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 1
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A MORTGAGE L ENDER OR MORTGAGE 3
LENDING BUSINESS THA T MADE A CONVENTIONA L HOME MORTGAGE LOAN TO A 4
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL WHO SUBMITS TO THE MORTGAGE LENDER OR M ORTGAGE 5
LENDING BUSINESS : 6
(1) VERIFICATION THAT THE CUSTOMER IS A QUALIF IED INDIVIDUAL; 7
AND 8
(2) A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PL AN TO PAY ANY MISSED PAYMENTS FOR 9
THE BORROWER ’S MORTGAGE AFTER THE BORROWER IS NO LONGE R A QUALIFIED 10
INDIVIDUAL. 11
(C) A MORTGAGE LENDER OR M ORTGAGE LENDING BUSINESS: 12
(1) SHALL ACCEPT FROM A QUALIFIED IND IVIDUAL A PARTIAL 13
PAYMENT OF ANY LOAN PAYMENT DUE; AND 14
(2) MAY NOT IMPOSE A LATE FEE OR PENALT Y ON A QUALIFIED 15
INDIVIDUAL FOR THE N ONPAYMENT OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S MORTGAGE . 16
11–601. 17
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 18
(q) (1) “Mortgage loan originator” means an individual who for compensation 19
or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain: 20
(i) Takes a loan application; or 21
(ii) Offers or negotiates terms of a mortgage loan. 22
(2) “Mortgage loan originator” does not include an individual who: 23
(i) Acts solely as a mortgage loan processor or underwriter; 24
(ii) Performs only real estate brokerage activities and is licensed in 25
accordance with Title 17 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, unless the 26
individual is compensated by a mortgage lender, mortgage broker, or other mortgage loan 27
originator or by any agent of a mortgage lender, mortgage broker, or other mortgage loan 28
originator; 29
14 HOUSE BILL 1557
(iii) Is involved solely in extensions of credit relating to timeshare 1
plans, as that term is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(53D); or 2
(iv) Is a retailer of mobile homes or an employee of the retailer if the 3
retailer or employee, as applicable, does not receive, directly or indirectly, compensation or 4
gain for engaging in activities described in paragraph (1) of this subsection that is in excess 5
of compensation or gain received in a comparable cash transaction. 6
11–605.1. 7
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANI NGS 8
INDICATED. 9
(2) “CONVENTIONAL HOME MOR TGAGE LOAN ” HAS THE MEANING 10
STATED IN § 11–501 OF THIS TITLE. 11
(3) “DWELLING” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 11–501 OF THIS 12
TITLE. 13
(4) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 14
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 15
(5) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 16
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 17
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A MORTGAGE L OAN ORIGINATOR THAT 18
MADE A CONVENTIONAL HOME MORTGAGE LOAN T O A QUALIFIED INDIVI DUAL WHO 19
SUBMITS TO THE MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGIN ATOR: 20
(1) VERIFICATION THAT THE CUSTOMER IS A QUALIF IED INDIVIDUAL; 21
AND 22
(2) A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLAN TO P AY ANY MISSED PAYMEN TS FOR 23
THE BORROWER ’S MORTGAGE AFTER THE BORROWER IS NO LONGE R A QUALIFIED 24
INDIVIDUAL. 25
(C) A MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGIN ATOR: 26
(1) SHALL ACCEPT FROM A QUALIFIED IND IVIDUAL A PARTIAL 27
PAYMENT OF ANY LOAN PAYMENT DUE; AND 28
(2) MAY NOT IMPOSE A LATE FEE OR PENALT Y ON A QUALIFIED 29
INDIVIDUAL FOR THE N ONPAYMENT OF THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ’S MORTGAGE . 30
HOUSE BILL 1557 15
Article – Public Utilities 1
1–101. 2
(a) In this division the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(d) “Commission” means the Public Service Commission. 4
(z) (1) “Public service company” means a common carrier company, electric 5
company, gas company, sewage disposal company, telegraph company, telephone company, 6
water company, or any combination of public service companies. 7
(2) “Public service company” does not include: 8
(i) a campground that provides water, electric, gas, sewage, or 9
telephone service to campers incident to the campground’s primary business of operating 10
and maintaining the campground; or 11
(ii) a person that owns or operates equipment used for charging 12
electric vehicles, including a person that owns or operates: 13
1. an electric vehicle charging station; 14
2. electric vehicle supply equipment; or 15
3. an electric vehicle charging station service company or 16
provider. 17
7–307.5. 18
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 19
INDICATED. 20
(2) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 21
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 22
(3) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” HAS THE MEA NING STATED IN § 23
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 24
(B) A PUBLIC SERVICE COMPA NY MAY NOT TERMINATE ELECTRIC OR GAS 25
SERVICE OR ASSESS A LATE FEE, PENALTY, OR INTEREST TO A CUS TOMER WHO IS A 26
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL FOR NONPAYMENT IF TH E CUSTOMER CONTACTS THE 27
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPA NY BEFORE THE DATE O F TERMINATION TO : 28
16 HOUSE BILL 1557
(1) PROVIDE VERIFICATION THAT THE CUSTOMER IS A QUALIFIED 1
INDIVIDUAL; AND 2
(2) ENTER INTO A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLAN TO PAY ANY 3
OUTSTANDING AMOUNT O N THE CUSTOMER ’S ACCOUNT AFTER THE CUSTOMER IS NO 4
LONGER A QUALIFIED I NDIVIDUAL. 5
(C) IF A PUBLIC SERVICE C OMPANY TERMINATES, FOR ANY REASON , THE 6
ELECTRIC OR GAS SERV ICE OF A CUSTOMER WHO IS A QUALIFIED I NDIVIDUAL, THE 7
COMPANY SHALL RESTOR E THE SERVICE. 8
(D) A PUBLIC SERVICE COMPA NY SHALL ACCEPT PARTIAL PAY MENT OF A 9
CHARGE FOR ELECTRIC OR GAS SERVICE FROM A QUALIFIED IND IVIDUAL. 10
(E) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE 11
COMMISSION MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLE MENT THIS SECTION . 12
Article – Real Property 13
7–105.1. 14
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 15
(8) “Owner–occupied residential property” means residential property in 16
which at least one unit is occupied by an individual who: 17
(i) Has an ownership interest in the property; and 18
(ii) Uses the property as the individual’s primary residence. 19
(12) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 20
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 21
(13) “QUALIFIED LANDLORD” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–4101 22
OF THE STATE GOVERNMEN T ARTICLE. 23
[(12)] (14) “Residential property” means real property improved by four or 24
fewer single family dwelling units that are designed principally and are intended for human 25
habitation. 26
(b–1) (1) This subsection applies only to an action for the foreclosure of a 27
mortgage or deed of trust on an owner–occupied residential property. 28
(2) Notwithstanding any other law, the court shall stay the proceedings if 29
the defendant presents evidence satisfactory to the court that the defendant is: 30 HOUSE BILL 1557 17
(i) An employee of the federal or State government or an employee 1
of a local government in the State; and 2
(ii) Involuntarily furloughed from work without pay because of a 3
government shutdown, regardless of whether the employee is required to report to work 4
during the furlough. 5
(3) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a stay under this 6
subsection shall be granted for a time that the court considers reasonable. 7
(ii) A stay under this subsection may not be granted for a period that 8
ends more than 30 days after the end of the government shutdown without a showing of 9
sufficient cause by a party to the action. 10
(B–2) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES ONLY TO AN ACTION FOR THE 11
FORECLOSURE OF A MOR TGAGE OR DEED OF TRU ST ON A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 12
THAT IS: 13
(I) OWNER–OCCUPIED OR LEASED T O A TENANT; AND 14
(II) OWNED BY A QUALIFIED LANDLORD OR A QUALIF IED 15
INDIVIDUAL. 16
(2) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER LAW, THE COURT SHALL STAY 17
THE PROCEEDINGS IF T HE DEFENDANT PRESENT S TO THE COURT VERIF ICATION 18
FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT THE DEFEND ANT IS A 19
QUALIFIED LANDLORD O R A QUALIFIED INDIVI DUAL. 20
(3) A STAY UNDER THIS SUBS ECTION SHALL BE GRAN TED UNTIL A 21
DATE AFTER THE DEFEN DANT IS NO LONGER EL IGIBLE TO BE A QUALI FIED 22
LANDLORD OR QUALIFIE D INDIVIDUAL THAT THE COURT CO NSIDERS REASONABLE . 23
(q) An action for failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall be 24
brought within 3 years after the date of the order ratifying the sale. 25
(s) The Commissioner of Financial Regulation may adopt additional regulations 26
necessary to carry out the requirements of this section. 27
8–121. 28
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A TENANT OF A RESIDENTIAL 29
PROPERTY WHO IS A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL , AS DEFINED IN § 9–4101 OF THE STATE 30
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 31
18 HOUSE BILL 1557
(B) A TENANT SHALL: 1
(1) ADHERE TO A QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLAN , AS DEFINED IN § 2
9–4101 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; AND 3
(2) PROVIDE VERIFICATION FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF 4
LABOR WHEN: 5
(I) THE TENANT IS DECLARED A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ; OR 6
(II) THE TENANT ’S STATUS AS A QUALIFIED INDIV IDUAL 7
TERMINATES. 8
(C) A LANDLORD: 9
(1) MAY NOT IMPOSE A LATE FEE OR PENALT Y ON A TENANT WHO IS 10
A QUALIFIED INDIVIDU AL; 11
(2) SHALL ACCEPT PARTIAL PAYMENT FOR : 12
(I) UNPAID RENT; OR 13
(II) A LATE FEE OR PENALTY IMPOSED ON A TENANT BEFORE 14
THE TENANT BECAME A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ; AND 15
(3) SHALL ACCEPT A QUALIF IED PAYMENT PLAN SUB MITTED BY A 16
TENANT FOR UNPAID RE NT OR A LATE FEE OR PENALT Y. 17
8–401. 18
(a) Whenever the tenant or tenants fail to pay the rent when due and payable, it 19
shall be lawful for the landlord to have again and repossess the premises in accordance 20
with this section. 21
(d) (1) This subsection applies only to an action for the repossession of 22
residential property for failure to pay rent due during a government shutdown. 23
(2) Notwithstanding any other law, the court shall stay the proceeding if 24
the tenant or an occupant of the property that is the subject of the proceeding presents 25
evidence satisfactory to the court that the occupant: 26
(i) Uses the property as the individual’s primary residence; 27
(ii) Is an employee of the federal or State government or an employee 28
of a local government in the State; and 29 HOUSE BILL 1557 19
(iii) Is involuntarily furloughed from work without pay because of a 1
government shutdown, regardless of whether the employee is required to report to work 2
during the furlough. 3
(3) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a stay under this 4
subsection shall be granted for a time that the court considers reasonable. 5
(ii) A stay under this subsection may not be granted for a period that 6
ends more than 30 days after the end of the government shutdown without a showing of 7
sufficient cause by a party to the action. 8
(D–1) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES ONLY TO AN ACTION FOR THE 9
REPOSSESSION OF RESI DENTIAL PROPERTY FOR FAILURE TO PAY RENT DUE BY A 10
TENANT WHO IS A QUAL IFIED INDIVIDUAL, AS DEFINED IN § 9–4101 OF THE STATE 11
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 12
(2) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER LAW, THE COURT SHALL STAY 13
THE PROCEEDING IF TH E TENANT OR AN OCCUP ANT OF THE PROPERTY THAT IS THE 14
SUBJECT OF THE PROCE EDING PRESENTS TO TH E COURT VERIFICATION FROM TH E 15
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT THE OCCUPANT IS A QUALIFIED 16
INDIVIDUAL. 17
(3) A STAY UNDER THIS SUBS ECTION SHALL BE GRAN TED UNTIL A 18
DATE AFTER THE DEFENDANT LOSES STATUS AS A QU ALIFIED LANDLORD OR 19
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL THAT THE COURT CONSI DERS REASONABLE . 20
Article – State Government 21
SUBTITLE 41. PROGRAM TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS UNEMPLOYED OR 22
FURLOUGHED DUE TO FEDERAL ACTIONS. 23
9–4101. 24
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 25
INDICATED. 26
(B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. 27
(C) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE PROGRAM TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS 28
UNEMPLOYED OR FURLOUGHED DUE TO FEDERAL ACTIONS. 29
20 HOUSE BILL 1557
(D) (1) “QUALIFIED FURLOUGHED INDIVIDUAL” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE 1
OF THE FEDERAL GOVER NMENT DURING A FEDER AL GOVERNMENT SHUTDO WN 2
THAT LASTS FOR A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS OR MORE . 3
(2) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A “QUALIFIED 4
FURLOUGHED INDIVIDUA L” IF THE FEDERAL GOVER NMENT IS NOT SHUT DO WN. 5
(E) “QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL ” MEANS A QUALIFIED FU RLOUGHED 6
INDIVIDUAL OR A QUAL IFIED UNEMPLOYED IND IVIDUAL. 7
(F) “QUALIFIED LANDLORD ” MEANS A LANDLORD WHO LEASES A 8
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TO A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL . 9
(G) “QUALIFIED PAYMENT PLA N” MEANS AN INTEREST–FREE PAYMENT 10
PLAN THAT ALLOWS A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL TO REPAY AN OUTSTANDING 11
BALANCE, FEE, OR OTHER MONEY OWED OVER A PERIOD OF 2 YEARS. 12
(H) (1) “QUALIFIED UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUAL” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL 13
WHO IS UNEMPLOYED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY DUE TO PERSONNEL ACTIONS BY 14
THE FEDERAL GOVERNME NT OR CHANGES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ’S 15
BUDGET, CONTRACTS, OR FUNDING THAT OCCURRED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 20, 16
2025. 17
(2) “QUALIFIED UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUAL” INCLUDES: 18
(I) A FORMER OR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL CONTRACTOR ; 19
(II) A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF A BUSINESS THAT CLOS ED OR 20
REDUCED STAFF DIRECTLY OR INDIRECT LY DUE TO PERSONNEL ACTIONS BY THE 21
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT O R CHANGES IN THE FEDER AL GOVERNMENT ’S BUDGET, 22
CONTRACTS, OR FUNDING; AND 23
(III) A FORMER OWNER OF A BU SINESS THAT CLOSED DIRECTLY 24
OR INDIRECTLY DUE TO PERSONNEL ACTIONS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNME NT OR 25
CHANGES IN THE FEDER AL GOVERNMENT ’S BUDGET, CONTRACTS, OR FUNDING. 26
(3) “QUALIFIED UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUAL” DOES NOT INCLUDE AN 27
INDIVIDUAL WHO RECEI VES WAGES FOR PERFOR MING WORK. 28
9–4102. 29
(A) THERE IS A PROGRAM TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS UNEMPLOYED OR 30
FURLOUGHED DUE TO FEDERAL ACTIONS. 31 HOUSE BILL 1557 21
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM. 1
9–4103. 2
(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 3
(1) ESTABLISH AN APPLICA TION PROCESS FOR IND IVIDUALS WHO 4
MAY QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM; 5
(2) EVALUATE APPLICATION S FOR ELIGIBILITY; 6
(3) NOTIFY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS DETERMINED TO BE A QUALIFIED 7
FURLOUGHED INDIVIDUA L, A QUALIFIED LANDLORD , OR A QUALIFIED UNEMPLOYED 8
INDIVIDUAL: 9
(I) THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WAS DE TERMINED TO BE QUALI FIED 10
FOR THE PROGRAM; 11
(II) OF THE CONDITIONS THAT WOULD DISQUALIFY AN 12
INDIVIDUAL FROM THE PROGRAM; AND 13
(III) OF THE RIGHTS AND PROTE CTIONS AFFORDED TO T HE 14
INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE PROGRAM; 15
(4) REGULARLY REEVALUATE WHETHER A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL 16
REMAINS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM; AND 17
(5) AT THE REQUEST OF A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL OR A QUALIFIED 18
LANDLORD, PROVIDE VERIFICATION THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS A QUAL IFIED 19
INDIVIDUAL OR A QUALIFIED LANDLORD TO AN ENTITY THAT IS REQUIRED TO DO OR 20
PROHIBITED FROM DOIN G AN ACTION BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS A QUAL IFIED 21
INDIVIDUAL OR A QUALIFIED LANDL ORD, INCLUDING: 22
(I) A BANKING INSTITUTIO N, AS DEFINED IN § 1–101 OF THE 23
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARTICLE; 24
(II) A COLLECTOR , AS DEFINED IN § 14–201 OF THE 25
COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE; 26
(III) A COLLECTOR , AS DEFINED IN § 1–101 OF THE 27
TAX – PROPERTY ARTICLE; 28
22 HOUSE BILL 1557
(IV) A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY, AS DEFINED IN § 1
14–1201 OF THE COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE; 2
(V) A CREDIT UNION, AS DEFINED IN § 1–101 OF THE FINANCIAL 3
INSTITUTIONS ARTICLE; 4
(VI) AN ENTITY SEEKING TO FORECLOSE A RESIDENT IAL 5
PROPERTY UNDER § 7–105.1 OF THE REAL PROPERTY ARTICLE; 6
(VII) A LANDLORD SUBJECT TO § 8–208 OF THE REAL PROPERTY 7
ARTICLE; 8
(VIII) A MORTGAGE LENDER , AS DEFINED IN § 11–501 OF THE 9
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARTICLE; 10
(IX) A MORTGAGE LEND ING BUSINESS, AS DEFINED IN § 11–501 11
OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARTICLE; 12
(X) A MORTGAGE LOAN ORIG INATOR, AS DEFINED IN § 11–501 13
OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARTICLE; 14
(XI) A PUBLIC SERVICE COMPA NY, AS DEFINED IN § 1–101 OF 15
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE; OR 16
(XII) A SAVINGS AND LOAN A SSOCIATION, AS DEFINED IN § 8–101 17
OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARTICLE. 18
(B) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A QUALI FIED PAYMENT 19
PLAN THAT A QUALIFIE D INDIVIDUAL ENTERS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THE 20
PROGRAM. 21
(2) FOR PURPOSES OF PARTI CIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, AN 22
INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT REMAIN: 23
(I) A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR; OR 24
(II) WHILE RECEIVING WAGES FOR PERFORMING WORK. 25
(C) ON THE EARLIER OF THE DATE AN INDIVIDUAL L OSES ELIGIBILITY TO 26
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM OR 30 DAYS BEFORE A QUALIF IED INDIVIDUAL WILL 27
LOSE ELIGIBILITY TO BE IN THE PROGRAM DUE TO REACHING THE END OF THE 28
1–YEAR ELIGIBILITY PER IOD, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE TO A 29
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL OF: 30 HOUSE BILL 1557 23
(1) WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL ’S ELIGIBILITY ENDED OR IS SCHEDULED 1
TO END; 2
(2) THE PROTECTIONS PROV IDED BY THE PROGRAM THAT WILL NO 3
LONGER APPLY TO THE INDIVIDUAL; 4
(3) THE INDIVIDUAL ’S RIGHT TO A QUALIFI ED PAYMENT PLAN , EVEN 5
AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL’S ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM EXPIRES; AND 6
(4) CONSUMER PROTECTION RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE T O 7
INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE. 8
(D) A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL SHALL COMPLY WITH RE QUIREMENTS SET BY 9
THE DEPARTMENT TO VERIFY WHETHER THE QUALIFIED INDIVI DUAL CONTINUES 10
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM. 11
9–4104. 12
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBTITLE. 13
9–4105. 14
THIS SUBTITLE MAY BE CITED AS THE UNEMPLOYED AND FURLOUGHED 15
WORKERS ASSISTANCE ACT. 16
Article – Tax – Property 17
1–101. 18
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 19
(e) “Collector” includes an officer of a county or municipal corporation who has a 20
duty to collect or remit taxes. 21
14–811. 22
(J) THE COLLECTOR SHALL W ITHHOLD FROM SALE THE DWELLING OF A 23
HOMEOWNER WHO IS : 24
(1) A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL , AS DEFINED IN § 9–4101 OF THE STATE 25
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; OR 26
24 HOUSE BILL 1557
(2) A QUALIFIED LANDLORD , AS DEFINED IN § 9–4101 OF THE STATE 1
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That §§ 5 –514, 6–606.1, 9–409, 3
11–522, and 11–605.1 of the Financial Institutions Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this 4
Act, shall be construed to apply retroactively and shall be applied to and interpreted to 5
affect any conventional home mortgage loan entered into prior to the effective date of this 6
Act. 7
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That §§ 7–105.1, 8–121, and 8–401 8
of the Real Property Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall be construed to apply 9
immediately and shall be applied to and interpreted to affect any foreclosure action, lease, 10
or action for repossession initiated prior to the effective date of this Act. 11
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an emergency 12
measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety, has 13
been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three–fifths of all the members elected to 14
each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is 15
enacted. 16