Maryland officials, advocates and landlords debate limits on criminal‑history screening for rental housing

Jake Day, secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, told the House Environment and Transportation Committee at a briefing that DHCD updated its tenant‑screening policy for state‑funded multifamily properties to require transparent, publicly posted screening plans and individualized review of conviction histories. “I believe that shelter is a human right,” Secretary Day said, describing the changes as intended to reduce barriers for people with criminal records seeking housing.

The change stems from a DHCD partnership with the Vera Institute of Justice and from federal guidance on tenant screening. The department said its updated policy prohibits consideration of juvenile records, pardoned or sealed records, and convictions for conduct that is no longer a crime in Maryland. DHCD required all state‑funded multifamily properties to submit updated tenant screening plans by January 1; review of those plans is ongoing, the department told legislators.

The committee heard testimony from housing advocates, reentry organizers and landlord representatives about how screening practices affect reentering Marylanders and broader public safety. David Wheaton, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said about “22% of…