Ch. 431                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 431
(House Bill 877)

AN ACT concerning

Real Estate Commission - Discrimination by Licensees - "Blockbusting"

FOR the purpose of extending the bases under which individuals are protected from
discrimination by real estate licensees to include sex, handicap, and familial status;
extending the prohibition against "blockbusting" to include a prohibition against
inducing or discouraging the sale or rental of real estate based on representations
about the handicap or familial status of individuals in the neighborhood; providing
that certain words have the meanings indicated in the Federal Fair Housing Act;
and generally relating to discrimination in real estate transactions.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Business Occupations and Professions
Section 17-322(a)(16) and (b) and 17-608(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1989 Volume and 1994 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Business Occupations and Professions

17-322.

(a) IN THIS SECTION, "HANDICAP" AND "FAMILIAL STATUS" EACH HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED IN THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT.

(B) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 17-324 of this subtitle, the Commission
may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a
license if the applicant or licensee:

(16) whether or not acting for monetary gain, knowingly induces or attempts
to induce a person to transfer real estate or discourages or attempts to discourage a
person from buying real estate:

(i) by making representations about the existing or potential proximity
of real property owned or used by individuals of a particular race, color, religion, SEX,
HANDICAP, FAMILIAL STATUS, or national origin; or

(ii) by representing that the existing or potential proximity of real
property owned or used by individuals of a particular race, color, religion, SEX,
HANDICAP, FAMILIAL STATUS, or national origin will or may result in:

1.       the lowering of property values;

2.       a change in the racial, religious, or ethnic character of the
block, neighborhood, or area;

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