MD HB853

Creates the State Board of Common Ownership Community Managers (9 members appointed by the Governor) within the Maryland Department of Labor to license and regulate individuals who provide management services for condominiums, cooperative housing corporations, and homeowners associations

Establishes two tiers of licensure: a "Licensed Community Manager" (requires 5 years as an associate manager or an approved professional designation, plus training and examination) and a "Licensed Associate Community Manager" (requires age 18+, training, and examination, must work under supervision of a licensed manager), both with 2-year renewable terms

Requires all common ownership communities to register annually with the Board by January 1 each year, and requires management service contracts to include provisions ensuring only licensed community managers provide services; contracting parties must carry a fidelity bond or theft insurance up to $2,000,000

Imposes disciplinary penalties including license denial, suspension, revocation, reprimand, and fines up to $5,000 per violation for misconduct such as fraud, mishandling funds, gross negligence, or criminal convictions; willful violation of financial account requirements is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $25,000 in fines and/or 5 years imprisonment

Establishes the State Board of Common Ownership Community Managers Fund as a special nonlapsing fund, subjects the Board to the Maryland Program Evaluation Act with a termination date of July 1, 2032, grants a training/examination waiver for applicants with 2 years of management experience who apply by October 1, 2029, and takes effect October 1, 2026