PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 522

and follow-up for children with elevated blood lead levels. The statewide coordinated
plan for case management under this section shall include plans for coordination among
agencies at the local level. Coordinated case management under this Act shall be
implemented on or before March 1, 1998.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1997 is an emergency measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of
the public health and safety, has been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by
three-fifths of all the members elected to each of the two Houses of the General
Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is enacted.

Approved May 8, 1997.

CHAPTER 522
(House Bill 1144)

AN ACT concerning

Baltimore City Residential Leases-Tenant Liability Landlord and Tenant -

Prohibition on Liquidated Damages Clauses in Baltimore City - Repeal

FOR the purpose of altering the maximum number of months of rent for which a tenant
may be liable to a landlord under certain circumstances; and generally relating to
tenant liability under residential leases repealing the prohibition on certain
liquidated damages clauses in certain residential leases in Baltimore City; repealing
certain provisions of law relating to the prohibition on the liquidated damages
clauses; repealing a certain cap on a certain liability of certain tenants in Baltimore
City; and generally relating to landlords and tenants.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Real Property
Section 8-212

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1996 Supplement)

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

Article - Real Property

8-212.

(a) In Baltimore City, a liquidated damages clause or penalty clause in a
residential lease is not enforceable. If a tenant fails or refuses to take possession of or
vacates the dwelling unit before the end of his term, the tenant is liable to the landlord
for loss of rent caused by the termination or [two] 6-months' rent, whichever is less, in
addition to the cost of repairing damage to the premises which may have been caused by
an act or omission of the tenant.

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