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Council adopts eviction‑notice requirements and HERO Act for line‑of‑duty survivors
Summary
The council unanimously passed an expedited eviction‑notice bill requiring landlords to share eviction notices with DHCA and to provide tenant resources, and it unanimously passed the HERO Act to expedite and increase survivor benefits for line‑of‑duty deaths among firefighters (with an amendment to extend similar treatment to police groups).
The Montgomery County Council used its final session of the year to finalize two expedited items: changes to landlord‑tenant eviction notice requirements and the HERO Act to strengthen survivor benefits for first‑responder line‑of‑duty deaths.
Expedited Bill 31‑25 (landlord‑tenant relations) requires landlords to provide tenants with eviction notices and to file copies of those notices with the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) at least 14 days before a scheduled eviction. The bill also requires DHCA to maintain a resources website and for landlords to give tenants a link to that site. The Planning, Housing and Parks Committee recommended enactment with amendments; the council approved the bill in a roll call vote.
The HERO Act (Expedited Bill 32‑25) expands and expedites survivor benefits for Group G members (career firefighters) killed in the line of duty. Among other changes, the act adds an option for the surviving spouse to receive a pension calculated as if the member had 20 years of service and requires prompt processing of benefits. Councilmember Evan Glass and others framed the Act as urgent after recent line‑of‑duty deaths; the council adopted the bill unanimously and approved an amendment to extend similar provisions to certain police pension groups with additional follow‑up work for sheriff and corrections personnel.
Why it mattered: The eviction‑notice changes are aimed at ensuring DHCA and social services have advance notice to intervene and connect tenants with resources. The HERO Act is a policy response to gaps in survivor benefits processing after line‑of‑duty deaths and aims to provide more immediate support to survivors.
What’s next: DHCA will set up the resources web page and coordinate with landlords on notice protocols; county pension administrators will implement the HERO Act provisions and the council and sponsors will work on follow‑up legislation or administrative steps to extend benefits to other public‑safety groups.
