Bill to require landlords to publish pet policies aims to keep tenants and pets together, advocates say

Speaker: Delegate Stein introduced HB 11 52, the Pet Policy Transparency Act, which would require rental listings and property websites to disclose whether units accept pets and to provide a written copy of the property’s pet policy with the rental application.

“Nearly 3 quarters of renters have pets but rental housing that's affordable and will accept pets is hard to find,” Stein said, describing research his office and witnesses cited showing many affordable-unit listings do not disclose pet rules. He said the bill’s goal is transparency—making it easier for pet-owning renters to identify suitable housing and reducing the number of animals surrendered to shelters.

Animal-welfare organizations (The Humane Society/“Humane World for Animals,” Maryland SPCA, PAWS/professional animal workers) and advocacy groups testified in favor. Stacy Velodin (Humane World for Animals) said a review of 400 affordable listings found just 67 that cited a pet policy and many required a phone call to confirm; shelters are at capacity and clearer disclosure would reduce unnecessary surrenders, proponents said.

Some committee members asked about the operational burden for small landlords without websites; supporters said the requirement can be met with a simple printed policy or a posted QR code and that sponsors are open to clarifying language to avoid punishing small-scale landlords. The committee heard no opposition testimony that would block the bill; the hearing concluded with advocates urging a favorable report.