Good‑cause eviction bill returns to committee after year of revisions

Summary

Delegate Janelle Wilkins reintroduced a county‑enabling good‑cause eviction bill (HB 709) to let localities require landlords to state lawful reasons for lease nonrenewal; proponents said the measure would reduce retaliatory and arbitrary displacements, while industry groups warned of litigation and impacts on development and dispute timelines.

Delegate Janelle Wilkins told the House Environment and Transportation Committee on Feb. 18 that House Bill 709 would authorize counties and Baltimore City to adopt local ordinances requiring landlords to state a lawful reason for lease nonrenewal or termination.

Supporters said the measure is a targeted tool to prevent involuntary displacement — not a ban on evictions. "A renter who is paying their rent and following the rules should have a stable and secure place to live," Wilkins said, describing the measure as an enabling framework that preserves landlords’ rights to remove tenants for specific, legitimate causes.

Why advocates pressed for the statewide option Advocates and local officials argued that good‑cause frameworks reduce avoidable evictions and the downstream human and fiscal costs — from homelessness to emergency shelter and social‑service burdens. David Weed of the Legal Defense Fund summarized research and changes incorporated since the committee passed a version…

Good‑cause eviction bill returns to committee after year of revisions

Summary

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