Scored 6/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Landlords Blame Bill
Maryland bill shields landlords from blame for screening reports
Landlord and Tenant - Residential Housing - Rental Applications and Tenant Screening
Mixed: some good, some bad ·
Landlords would have to tell you upfront what they'll check before you pay to apply. You could challenge wrong info on tenant screening reports. But landlords get legal protection if the screening company's report has bad data, they can't be sued for it.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
This bill cuts both ways. The upside: you'd get a heads-up about screening fees and what they're checking, and you'd have a chance to fix errors on your tenant report before a landlord sees them. That's real. But the immunity clause matters. If a screening company puts wrong info in your file, say, an eviction that wasn't yours, or a missed payment you actually made, the landlord is shielded from lawsuits. You'd have to go after the screening company instead, which is harder and costs money most renters don't have. Landlords aren't taking the risk for bad data; you are. With rents this high and competition this fierce, a false flag on your screening report can tank your shot at housing. The bill does some good on transparency but punts accountability away from landlords and onto the companies, and ultimately onto tenants who get trapped by errors they didn't make.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Landlords must disclose in writing what they'll check and how much the fee costs before you apply
- You get the right to see and challenge info on your tenant screening report
- Landlords cannot be sued if the screening report contains false or incomplete information
- Landlords must report certain tenant info to screening companies
- The bill passed the House 96-36 and is now in Senate committee
How they voted
The actual floor vote, and who broke from their own party.
Want to see how your representatives voted on this? Find your reps →
- Tiffany Alston (D): voted against it, crossing most Democrats
- Stuart Schmidt (R): voted for it, crossing most Republicans
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the Maryland Bill Book 2026
The best and worst Maryland bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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