MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB154

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB154 Compare Versions

OldNewDifferences
11
22
33 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
44 [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5- Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6- Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7-amendment.
85 *sb0154*
96
107 SENATE BILL 154
118 N1, P1 5lr1492
129 (PRE–FILED) CF HB 103
1310 By: Senators Hettleman and Guzzone
1411 Requested: October 30, 2024
1512 Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
1613 Assigned to: Budget and Taxation and Judicial Proceedings
17-Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
18-Senate action: Adopted
19-Read second time: February 28, 2025
2014
21-CHAPTER ______
15+A BILL ENTITLED
2216
2317 AN ACT concerning 1
2418
2519 Access to Counsel in Evictions – Task Force Termination and Special Fund 2
2620
27-FOR the purpose of making permanent extending a requirement that the Comptroller 3
28-distribute a certain amount of certain abandoned property funds to the Access to 4
29-Counsel in Evictions Special Fund; making permanent extending a requirement that 5
30-the Governor make a certain appropriation from the Access to Counsel in Evictions 6
31-Special Fund to the Maryland Legal Services Corporation; terminating altering the 7
32-staff and duties of the Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force on a certain date; 8
33-and generally relating to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund and the 9
34-Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force. 10
21+FOR the purpose of making permanent a requirement that the Comptroller distribute a 3
22+certain amount of certain abandoned property funds to the Access to Counsel in 4
23+Evictions Special Fund; making permanent a requirement that the Governor make 5
24+a certain appropriation from the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund to the 6
25+Maryland Legal Services Corporation; terminating the Access to Counsel in 7
26+Evictions Task Force on a certain date; and generally relating to the Access to 8
27+Counsel in Evictions Special Fund and the Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force. 9
3528
36-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
37- Article – Commercial Law 12
38- Section 17–317 13
39- Annotated Code of Maryland 14
40- (2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
29+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 10
30+ Article – Commercial Law 11
31+ Section 17–317 12
32+ Annotated Code of Maryland 13
33+ (2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
4134
42-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
43- Article – Real Property 17
44-Section 8–901 8–908 and 8–909 18
45- Annotated Code of Maryland 19
46- (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20
35+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
36+ Article – Real Property 16
37+Section 8–901 and 8–909 17
38+ Annotated Code of Maryland 18
39+ (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 19
4740
48-BY repealing 21 2 SENATE BILL 154
41+BY repealing 20
42+ Article – Real Property 21
43+Section 8–908 22
44+ Annotated Code of Maryland 23
45+ (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 24
46+
47+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 25
48+ Article – Commercial Law 26 2 SENATE BILL 154
4949
5050
51- Article – Real Property 1
52-Section 8–908 2
53- Annotated Code of Maryland 3
54- (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 4
51+ Section 17–317(a)(5) 1
52+ Annotated Code of Maryland 2
53+ (2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3
54+ (As enacted by Section 1 of this Act) 4
5555
56-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 5
57- Article – Commercial Law 6
58- Section 17–317(a)(5) 7
59- Annotated Code of Maryland 8
60- (2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
61- (As enacted by Section 1 of this Act) 10
56+BY renumbering 5
57+ Article – Real Property 6
58+ Section 8–909 through 8–911 7
59+ to be Section 8–908 and 8–910, respectively 8
60+ Annotated Code of Maryland 9
61+ (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10
6262
63-BY renumbering 11
64- Article – Real Property 12
65- Section 8–909 through 8–911 13
66- to be Section 8–908 and 8–910, respectively 14
67- Annotated Code of Maryland 15
68- (2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
63+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
64+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
6965
70- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
71-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
66+Article – Commercial Law 13
7267
73-Article – Commercial Law 19
68+17–317. 14
7469
75-17–317. 20
70+ (a) (1) (i) All funds received under this title, including the proceeds of the 15
71+sale of abandoned property under § 17–316 of this subtitle, shall be credited by the 16
72+Administrator to a special fund. 17
7673
77- (a) (1) (i) All funds received under this title, including the proceeds of the 21
78-sale of abandoned property under § 17–316 of this subtitle, shall be credited by the 22
79-Administrator to a special fund. 23
74+ (ii) The Administrator shall retain in the special fund at the end of 18
75+each fiscal year, from the proceeds received, an amount not to exceed $50,000, from which 19
76+sum the Administrator shall pay any claim allowed under this title. 20
8077
81- (ii) The Administrator shall retain in the special fund at the end of 24
82-each fiscal year, from the proceeds received, an amount not to exceed $50,000, from which 25
83-sum the Administrator shall pay any claim allowed under this title. 26
78+ (2) After deducting all costs incurred in administering this title from the 21
79+remaining net funds the Administrator shall distribute $8,000,000 to the Maryland Legal 22
80+Services Corporation Fund established under § 11–402 of the Human Services Article. 23
8481
85- (2) After deducting all costs incurred in administering this title from the 27
86-remaining net funds the Administrator shall distribute $8,000,000 to the Maryland Legal 28
87-Services Corporation Fund established under § 11–402 of the Human Services Article. 29
82+ (3) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Administrator 24
83+shall distribute all unclaimed money from judgments of restitution under Title 11, Subtitle 25
84+6 of the Criminal Procedure Article to the State Victims of Crime Fund established under 26
85+§ 11–916 of the Criminal Procedure Article to assist victims of crimes and delinquent acts 27
86+to protect the victims’ rights as provided by law. 28
8887
89- (3) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Administrator 30
90-shall distribute all unclaimed money from judgments of restitution under Title 11, Subtitle 31
91-6 of the Criminal Procedure Article to the State Victims of Crime Fund established under 32
92-§ 11–916 of the Criminal Procedure Article to assist victims of crimes and delinquent acts 33
93-to protect the victims’ rights as provided by law. 34
88+ (ii) If a victim entitled to restitution that has been treated as 29
89+abandoned property under § 11–614 of the Criminal Procedure Article is located after the 30
90+money has been distributed under this paragraph, the Administrator shall reduce the next 31
91+distribution to the State Victims of Crime Fund by the amount recovered by the victim. 32
9492
95- (ii) If a victim entitled to restitution that has been treated as 35
96-abandoned property under § 11–614 of the Criminal Procedure Article is located after the 36 SENATE BILL 154 3
93+ (4) For fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, after making the 33
94+distributions required under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the Administrator 34
95+shall distribute $500,000 from the remaining net funds to the Tax Clinics for Low–Income 35
96+Marylanders Fund established under § 1–207 of the Tax – General Article. 36
97+ SENATE BILL 154 3
9798
9899
99-money has been distributed under this paragraph, the Administrator shall reduce the next 1
100-distribution to the State Victims of Crime Fund by the amount recovered by the victim. 2
100+ (5) [For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027, after] AFTER making the 1
101+distributions required under paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, the 2
102+Administrator shall distribute $14,000,000 from the remaining net funds to the Access to 3
103+Counsel in Evictions Special Fund under § 8–909 of the Real Property Article. 4
101104
102- (4) For fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, after making the 3
103-distributions required under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the Administrator 4
104-shall distribute $500,000 from the remaining net funds to the Tax Clinics for Low–Income 5
105-Marylanders Fund established under § 1–207 of the Tax – General Article. 6
105+ (6) After making the distributions required under paragraphs (2) through 5
106+(5) of this subsection, the Administrator shall distribute the remaining net funds not 6
107+retained under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the General Fund of the State. 7
106108
107- (5) [For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027 2028, after] AFTER making 7
108-the distributions required under paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, the 8
109-Administrator shall distribute $14,000,000 from the remaining net funds to the Access to 9
110-Counsel in Evictions Special Fund under § 8–909 of the Real Property Article. 10
109+ (b) (1) Before making the distribution, the Administrator shall record the 8
110+name and last known address, if any, of the owners of funds so distributed and the type of 9
111+property which the funds distributed represent. 10
111112
112- (6) After making the distributions required under paragraphs (2) through 11
113-(5) of this subsection, the Administrator shall distribute the remaining net funds not 12
114-retained under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the General Fund of the State. 13
113+ (2) The record shall be available for public inspection during reasonable 11
114+business hours by any person who claims a legal interest in any property held by the 12
115+Administrator, provided that the person gives prior notice to the Administrator. 13
115116
116- (b) (1) Before making the distribution, the Administrator shall record the 14
117-name and last known address, if any, of the owners of funds so distributed and the type of 15
118-property which the funds distributed represent. 16
117+Article – Real Property 14
119118
120- (2) The record shall be available for public inspection during reasonable 17
121-business hours by any person who claims a legal interest in any property held by the 18
122-Administrator, provided that the person gives prior notice to the Administrator. 19
119+8–909. 15
123120
124-Article – Real Property 20
121+ (a) There is an Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund. 16
125122
126-8–909. 21
123+ (b) The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to fully implement access to 17
124+legal representation in evictions and other related proceedings in the State. 18
127125
128- (a) There is an Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund. 22
126+ (c) MLSC shall administer the Fund. 19
129127
130- (b) The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to fully implement access to 23
131-legal representation in evictions and other related proceedings in the State. 24
128+ (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of 20
129+the State Finance and Procurement Article. 21
132130
133- (c) MLSC shall administer the Fund. 25
131+ (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the 22
132+Comptroller shall account for the Fund. 23
134133
135- (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of 26
136-the State Finance and Procurement Article. 27
134+ (e) The Fund consists of: 24
137135
138- (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the 28
139-Comptroller shall account for the Fund. 29
136+ (1) Money received by the Division of Consumer Protection in the Office of 25
137+the Attorney General from any final settlement or agreement with or judgment against a 26
138+party relating to an investigation or enforcement of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act 27
139+for an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice for rental residential property, excluding 28
140+any restitution and the costs of the action the Attorney General is entitled to recover; 29
140141
141- (e) The Fund consists of: 30
142+ (2) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; 30
142143
143- (1) Money received by the Division of Consumer Protection in the Office of 31
144-the Attorney General from any final settlement or agreement with or judgment against a 32
145-party relating to an investigation or enforcement of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act 33 4 SENATE BILL 154
144+ (3) Money distributed to the Fund under § 17–317 of the Commercial Law 31
145+Article; 32
146+ 4 SENATE BILL 154
146147
147148
148-for an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice for rental residential property, excluding 1
149-any restitution and the costs of the action the Attorney General is entitled to recover; 2
149+ (4) Interest earnings of the Fund; and 1
150150
151- (2) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; 3
151+ (5) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 2
152+Fund. 3
152153
153- (3) Money distributed to the Fund under § 17–317 of the Commercial Law 4
154-Article; 5
154+ (f) The Fund may be used only for: 4
155155
156- (4) Interest earnings of the Fund; and 6
156+ (1) Services provided by a designated organization or activity by a 5
157+community group to implement the Program as provided in this subtitle, including all costs 6
158+associated with required legal representation in any proceeding and any outreach and 7
159+education activities; 8
157160
158- (5) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 7
159-Fund. 8
161+ (2) If a local jurisdiction enacts a program authorized under this subtitle, 9
162+services provided by the local jurisdiction to implement access to counsel in eviction 10
163+proceedings as provided for in this subtitle, including all costs associated with required 11
164+legal representation in any proceeding and any outreach and education activities; 12
160165
161- (f) The Fund may be used only for: 9
166+ (3) Administrative expenses of MLSC; and 13
162167
163- (1) Services provided by a designated organization or activity by a 10
164-community group to implement the Program as provided in this subtitle, including all costs 11
165-associated with required legal representation in any proceeding and any outreach and 12
166-education activities; 13
168+ (4) Expenses related to the study and evaluation of: 14
167169
168- (2) If a local jurisdiction enacts a program authorized under this subtitle, 14
169-services provided by the local jurisdiction to implement access to counsel in eviction 15
170-proceedings as provided for in this subtitle, including all costs associated with required 16
171-legal representation in any proceeding and any outreach and education activities; 17
170+ (i) Services and activities provided under this subtitle; and 15
172171
173- (3) Administrative expenses of MLSC; and 18
172+ (ii) Funding amounts and sources necessary to fully effectuate 16
173+access to counsel in eviction proceedings. 17
174174
175- (4) Expenses related to the study and evaluation of: 19
175+ (g) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same 18
176+manner as other State money may be invested. 19
176177
177- (i) Services and activities provided under this subtitle; and 20
178+ (2) Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. 20
178179
179- (ii) Funding amounts and sources necessary to fully effectuate 21
180-access to counsel in eviction proceedings. 22
180+ (h) (1) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the 21
181+State budget. 22
181182
182- (g) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same 23
183-manner as other State money may be invested. 24
183+ (2) For each [of fiscal years 2024 through 2027] FISCAL YEAR , the 23
184+Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $14,000,000 from the 24
185+Fund to MLSC. 25
184186
185- (2) Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. 25
187+ (i) Money expended from the Fund is supplemental to and is not intended to take 26
188+the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for civil legal services from any 27
189+other source. 28
186190
187- (h) (1) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the 26
188-State budget. 27
191+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 29
192+as follows: 30
189193
190- (2) For each [of fiscal years 2024 through 2027 2028] FISCAL YEAR, the 28
191-Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $14,000,000 from the 29
192-Fund to MLSC. 30
194+Article – Real Property 31
193195 SENATE BILL 154 5
194196
195197
196- (i) Money expended from the Fund is supplemental to and is not intended to take 1
197-the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for civil legal services from any 2
198-other source. 3
198+8–901. 1
199199
200- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 4
201-as follows: 5
200+ (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 2
202201
203-Article – Real Property 6
202+ (b) “Community group” means a nonprofit entity with the capacity to conduct 3
203+tenant outreach and provide engagement, education, and information. 4
204204
205-8–901. 7
205+ (c) “Covered individual” means an individual who: 5
206206
207- (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 8
207+ (1) Occupies a residential property under a claim of legal right other than 6
208+owner, including a tenant in a building owned, operated, or managed by a public housing 7
209+authority; and 8
208210
209- (b) “Community group” means a nonprofit entity with the capacity to conduct 9
210-tenant outreach and provide engagement, education, and information. 10
211+ (2) Is a member of a household with an income that is not greater than 50% 9
212+of the median income, adjusted for household size, in the State as determined by the United 10
213+States Department of Health and Human Services or its successor. 11
211214
212- (c) “Covered individual” means an individual who: 11
215+ (d) “Designated organization” means a nonprofit entity designated by MLSC with 12
216+the ability to provide legal representation to covered individuals. 13
213217
214- (1) Occupies a residential property under a claim of legal right other than 12
215-owner, including a tenant in a building owned, operated, or managed by a public housing 13
216-authority; and 14
218+ (e) “Fund” means the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund. 14
217219
218- (2) Is a member of a household with an income that is not greater than 50% 15
219-of the median income, adjusted for household size, in the State as determined by the United 16
220-States Department of Health and Human Services or its successor. 17
220+ (f) “Legal representation” includes all representation by an attorney beyond brief 15
221+legal advice and is not limited to the formal entry of appearance in court. 16
221222
222- (d) “Designated organization” means a nonprofit entity designated by MLSC with 18
223-the ability to provide legal representation to covered individuals. 19
223+ (g) “MLSC” means the Maryland Legal Services Corporation. 17
224224
225- (e) “Fund” means the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund. 20
225+ (h) “Program” means the Access to Counsel in Evictions Program. 18
226226
227- (f) “Legal representation” includes all representation by an attorney beyond brief 21
228-legal advice and is not limited to the formal entry of appearance in court. 22
227+ [(i) “Task Force” means the Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force.] 19
229228
230- (g) “MLSC” means the Maryland Legal Services Corporation. 23
229+[8–908. 20
231230
232- (h) “Program” means the Access to Counsel in Evictions Program. 24
231+ (a) There is an Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force. 21
233232
234- [(i) “Task Force” means the Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force.] 25
233+ (b) (1) The Task Force consists of up to 15 members appointed by the Office of 22
234+the Attorney General and shall include: 23
235235
236-[8–908. 26
236+ (i) At least two representatives of the Maryland State Bar 24
237+Association; 25
237238
238- (a) There is an Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force. 27
239+ (ii) At least two representatives of tenant advocacy groups or 26
240+designated organizations; 27
239241
240- (b) (1) The Task Force consists of up to 15 members appointed by the Office of 28
241-the Attorney General SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT and 29
242-shall include: 30 6 SENATE BILL 154
242+ (iii) At least two representatives of the Judiciary; 28
243+
244+ (iv) At least two representatives of community groups; 29 6 SENATE BILL 154
243245
244246
245247
246- (i) At least two representatives of the Maryland State Bar 1
247-Association; 2
248+ (v) At least two representatives of landlords; 1
248249
249- (ii) At least two representatives of tenant advocacy groups or 3
250-designated organizations; 4
250+ (vi) Representatives of MLSC; and 2
251251
252- (iii) At least two representatives of the Judiciary; 5
252+ (vii) Tenants and other interested citizens. 3
253253
254- (iv) At least two representatives of community groups; 6
254+ (2) At least three members of the Task Force must be tenants whose 4
255+income does not exceed 50% of the State median income adjusted for household size. 5
255256
256- (v) At least two representatives of landlords; 7
257+ (c) The Attorney General shall designate the chair of the Task Force. 6
257258
258- (vi) Representatives of MLSC; and 8
259+ (d) The Office of the Attorney General shall provide staff for the Task Force. 7
259260
260- (vii) Tenants and other interested citizens. 9
261+ (e) A member of the Task Force: 8
261262
262- (2) At least three members of the Task Force must be tenants whose 10
263-income does not exceed 50% of the State median income adjusted for household size. 11
263+ (1) May not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 9
264264
265- (c) The Attorney General SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY 12
266-DEVELOPMENT shall designate the chair of the Task Force. 13
265+ (2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 10
266+Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 11
267267
268- (d) The Office of the Attorney General DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND 14
269-COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT shall provide staff for the Task Force. 15
268+ (f) The Task Force shall: 12
270269
271- (e) (1) A EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 16
272-A member of the Task Force: 17
270+ (1) Evaluate the provision of services under this subtitle, including the 13
271+performance of designated organizations and community groups; 14
273272
274- (1) (I) May not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; 18
275-but 19
273+ (2) Study potential funding sources; and 15
276274
277- (2) (II) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard 20
278-State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 21
275+ (3) Make recommendations to improve the implementation of this subtitle, 16
276+including necessary policy and statutory changes. 17
279277
280- (2) A MEMBER OF THE TASK FORCE DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION 22
281-(B)(2) OF THIS SECTION MAY RECEIVE REASONABLE COMPENSATION , INCLUDING A 23
282-STIPEND, AS DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY 24
283-DEVELOPMENT . 25
278+ (g) On or before January 1, 2022, and each January 1 thereafter, the Task Force 18
279+shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 19
280+2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 20
284281
285- (f) The Task Force shall: 26
282+ (h) The Task Force may apply for grants from public and private entities to carry 21
283+out the duties of the Task Force.] 22
286284
287- (1) Evaluate the provision of services under this subtitle, including the 27
288-performance of designated organizations and community groups; 28
285+ SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 23
286+as follows: 24
289287
290- (2) Study potential funding sources; and 29 SENATE BILL 154 7
288+Article – Commercial Law 25
289+
290+17–317. 26
291+
292+ (a) (5) After making the distributions required under paragraphs (2) through 27
293+(4) of this subsection, the Administrator shall distribute $14,000,000 from the remaining 28 SENATE BILL 154 7
291294
292295
296+net funds to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund under [§ 8–909] § 8–908 of 1
297+the Real Property Article. 2
293298
294- (3) Make recommendations to improve the implementation of this subtitle, 1
295-including necessary policy and statutory changes. 2
299+ SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section (s) 8–909 through 3
300+8–911 of Article – Real Property of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be 4
301+Section(s) 8–908 through 8–910, respectively. 5
296302
297- (g) On or before January 1, 2022, and each January 1 thereafter 2026, the Task 3
298-Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance 4
299-with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 5
303+ SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENAC TED, That Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this 6
304+Act shall take effect January 31, 2026. 7
300305
301- (h) The Task Force may apply for grants from public and private entities to carry 6
302-out the duties of the Task Force.] 7
303-
304- SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 8
305-as follows: 9
306-
307-Article – Commercial Law 10
308-
309-17–317. 11
310-
311- (a) (5) After making the distributions required under paragraphs (2) through 12
312-(4) of this subsection, the Administrator shall distribute $14,000,000 from the remaining 13
313-net funds to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund under [§ 8–909] § 8–908 of 14
314-the Real Property Article. 15
315-
316- SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 8 –909 through 16
317-8–911 of Article – Real Property of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be 17
318-Section(s) 8–908 through 8–910, respectively. 18
319-
320- SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this 19
321-Act shall take effect January 31, 2026. 20
322-
323- SECTION 6. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in 21
324-Section 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect October June 1, 2025. 22
325-
326-
327-
328-
329-Approved:
330-________________________________________________________________________________
331- Governor.
332-________________________________________________________________________________
333- President of the Senate.
334-________________________________________________________________________________
335- Speaker of the House of Delegates.
306+ SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in Section 8
307+5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect October 1, 2025. 9