MD HB315

Landlords who use credit history or financial information in tenant screening may not refuse to rent to prospective tenants receiving income-based housing subsidies (including Section 8 vouchers) based on income, credit score, or adverse credit history from periods before receiving the subsidy

Violations constitute discriminatory housing practices subject to enforcement by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

Landlords may still verify that subsidized tenants have sufficient income to pay their portion of rent using income-to-rent ratios substantially equivalent to those used for non-subsidized tenants

Landlords retain the right to refuse tenants based on references from previous landlords or history of lease violations, nuisance creation, or property damage

Effective date: October 1, 2026