Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Maryland bill would require shelter certification, grievance hotline after DHCD report
Summary
Sponsors and the Department of Housing and Community Development urged a favorable report for HB 15‑01, a bill to create a tiered shelter certification, minimum habitability standards, on‑site monitoring and a statewide grievance process; supporters said the change protects vulnerable people, while members pressed DHCD on penalties and how to avoid closing emergency shelters.
Delegate Chris Fair introduced House Bill 15‑01, saying the Department of Housing and Community Development’s study found no statewide laws guaranteeing minimum shelter standards or a reliable grievance process. “When Marylanders experiencing homelessness seek refuge in a shelter, they deserve safety, dignity, and basic standards,” Fair said, asking the committee for a favorable report.
Danielle Meister, assistant secretary for DHCD’s Division of Homeless Solutions, told the committee that roughly 22,000 Marylanders use shelter services each year and that many shelters operate with uneven oversight. “This has made shelters rely on…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
