MD SB274

Authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Development to adopt regulations for affirmatively furthering fair housing throughout Maryland

Adds "discriminatory effect" as a new prohibited basis for housing discrimination, defined as actions that actually or predictably have a disparate impact on protected groups based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status

Creates a three-part defense allowing a person to avoid liability if the action was without discriminatory intent, was necessary to achieve substantial legitimate nondiscriminatory interests, and could not have been achieved through less discriminatory means

Requires interpretation consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 decision in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project and federal HUD regulations on disparate impact

Takes effect October 1, 2026