Governor Signs Fair Chance Housing Act Into Law, Expanding Fair Housing Protections and Limits on Use of Criminal History in Renting

Governor Wes Moore has signed a major fair housing bill into law, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937), a measure designed to change how criminal history is used in rental housing decisions and expand fair housing protections across the state.

The bill was sponsored by State Senator Shaneka Henson. 

The Fair Chance Housing Act limits when landlords can ask about or use a person’s criminal history during the rental application process. Under the new law, landlords cannot request certain criminal background information early in the application process. Instead, that information can only be considered later, after a conditional offer of housing is made. 

Supporters say the goal is to ensure renters are evaluated based on their current ability to be a stable tenant, such as paying rent and meeting lease obligations, rather than being automatically screened out due to past involvement with the justice system.

The law also requires landlords to consider information provided by applicants when a criminal background check is used, and it sets clearer limits on what types of criminal history can be factored into final housing decisions.

In a statement, Senator Henson said the legislation is intended to give people a fair chance to rebuild their lives after serving their time. “People who have served their time deserve a fair chance at stable housing,” she said, adding that stable housing strengthens families and contributes to safer communities. Senator Henson credited years of advocacy and collaboration with partners including BUILD Baltimore, State Senator Will Smith, State Senator Bill Ferguson, Delegate Robbyn Lewis, Delegate Marlon Amprey, the Vera Institute of Justice, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the Public Justice Center.

In a statement, The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund said the signing of SB 937, along with the Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination – Regulations, Intent, and Discriminatory Effect Act (HB 573), represents a major step forward in expanding fair housing protections in Maryland and ensuring residents can access housing in well-resourced communities without discrimination. The organization said the Fair Chance Housing Act is designed to reduce barriers created by the misuse of criminal background checks and ensure applicants are assessed on their qualifications as tenants today rather than solely on past records, calling it one of the most progressive statewide fair chance housing laws in the country. 

Another housing bill that Governor Moore signed into law, HB 573, strengthens Maryland’s fair housing laws by addressing policies with discriminatory effects and helping the state better confront patterns of housing segregation.

Legal advocates praised the legislation, with Demetria McCain saying Maryland has taken an important step in ensuring residents have a fair chance to access housing where they can thrive, and David Wheaton noting that the laws help correct long-standing practices where criminal background checks were used to exclude people even after they had served their time. 

Thomas Silverstein also said HB 573 represents a significant advance in addressing the lasting impacts of segregation and discriminatory housing practices in Maryland. 

Delegate Deni Taveras, House sponsor of HB 573, said the measure strengthens state-level protections at a time when federal fair housing enforcement is weakening and will have a meaningful impact for families across Maryland.

Senator Henson said the outcome reflects what can happen when communities and lawmakers work together to push for change. “This is what progress looks like when people organize, speak up, and open doors instead of close them,” Senator Henson said.