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Howard County testimony backs longer eviction notice, resources website in CB12
Summary
Advocates and county consumer‑protection staff supported CB12, which would require landlords to give a 14‑day written notice before certain eviction filings and to point tenants to a county web page of eviction resources; proponents said the extra time helps tenants seek assistance and stabilize housing.
Council Bill 12 (CB12) would expand written notice requirements in landlord‑tenant proceedings by requiring landlords to provide 14 days' written notice before filing certain eviction actions and to ensure tenants are made aware of a county‑maintained online resource containing eviction assistance information.
Tracy Rezvani of the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection said the bill builds on existing outreach materials and would expand multilingual informational materials and distribution. "By providing folks the 14 days, it allows them to either challenge the eviction in court or to get their house in order, to find a place to move, to find a place to live," Rezvani said, framing the measure as a trauma‑sensitive procedural change.
Housing advocates testified that the extra notice window is often the difference between being able to access assistance and becoming unhoused. James Bell, a District 5 resident and housing advocate, said the practical effect is to give tenants an additional week to contact nonprofits or government partners and noted the county sheriff's office often provides tenants with notice about execution dates; Bell said the statute already permits local jurisdictions to extend notice up to 14 days and that this bill would align local practice with that statutory allowance.
Jackie Ng (Housing Affordability Coalition) and Jennifer Broderick (Bridges to Housing Stability) urged the council to pass the measure, arguing it improves fairness and gives social‑service providers time to verify eligibility and arrange assistance. Broderick said requirement of a centralized, multilingual county resources URL will help tenants better understand processes such as warrants of restitution and what to expect next.
Council members asked clarifying questions about whether the law requires the landlord to send the notice; testimony cited the state statute language that contemplates landlord‑sent notices and confirmed the bill raises the allowable local notice period to 14 days. No final vote was taken at the hearing; the bill moved forward as part of the legislative docket for future consideration.
