MD SB937

Prohibits landlords from inquiring about a prospective tenant's criminal history before extending a conditional offer to lease, with exceptions for sex offenses, murder (within 10 years), human trafficking, child pornography, meth manufacturing in federally assisted housing, and lifetime sex offender registration

Limits criminal history that can be considered after a conditional offer to specific serious convictions including first-degree murder, human trafficking, lifetime sex registry offenses, and certain violent crimes (sexual offenses, kidnapping, arson, first-degree assault, first-degree burglary, drug manufacturing, felony fraud) only if they occurred within 3 years

Requires landlords to provide written notice before accepting application fees explaining criminal history screening policies, and mandates written notice with specific reasons if withdrawing a conditional offer based on criminal history

Reduces the lookback period for criminal history in reusable tenant screening reports from 7 years to 3 years, and prohibits landlords from requiring drug/alcohol tests or requesting substance use treatment records

Establishes violations as unfair trade practices under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act with civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, effective October 1, 2026