reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-212 - Tenant Protection Assistance

(a)    An owner that gives notice of intent shall provide tenant protection assistance under subsection (b) of this section unless:
(1)    the owner has offered the right of first purchase in accordance with this subtitle; and
(2)    the assisted project is purchased by a party listed in § 7-204(a) of this subtitle in conjunction with a protected action.
(b)    Tenant protection assistance consists of:
(1)    paying each assisted household $475 on or before the day that the assisted household vacates the unit;
(2)    reimbursing each assisted household for relocation expenses exceeding $475 and up to $950, actually and reasonably incurred; and
(3)    offering each assisted household that is current in its rent and has not violated any other material term of its lease, a lease extension for at least 1 year from the giving of the notice of intent.
(c)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the periodic rent during the extended lease under subsection (b)(3) of this section may not exceed the amount that the assisted household must contribute for periodic rent under the assisted household’s current lease.
(2)    The periodic rent may be increased only on the anniversary of the assisted household’s current lease, and the increase may not exceed the lesser of:
(i)    the increase allowed by applicable federal, State, or local law; and
(ii)    the product of the amount the household must contribute for periodic rent for the preceding year multiplied by the percentage increase for the U.S. Consumer Price Index that the Secretary selects for the most recent 12-month period.
(3)    Except as allowed or required by the Secretary, all other terms and conditions governing the extended lease shall be the same as those of the lease in effect on the day preceding the giving of the notice of intent.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-213 - Designated Household

An assisted household is a designated household if it includes:
(1)    an individual who has been a member of the household for at least 12 months before the notice of intent is given and who:
(i)    is at least 62 years old on the day that the notice of intent is given; or
(ii)    qualifies as a person with disabilities under § 3(b)(3) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. § 1437f; or
(2)    a minor.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-214 - Extended Leases for Designated Households -- in General

(a)    (1)    This subsection applies if a protected action affects a unit occupied by a designated household that:
(i)    is current in its rent and has not violated any other material term of the lease;
(ii)    within 60 days after the giving of the notice of intent, provides the owner with written notice showing that the household qualifies as a designated household and stating that the household is applying for an extended lease under this section; and
(iii)    executes the extended lease form delivered in accordance with § 7-216(a)(2) of this subtitle and returns it to the owner within 60 days after the giving of the notice of intent.
(2)    Except for a protected action under § 7-102(a)(3) of this title, an owner may not take a protected action that affects a unit in an assisted project occupied by a designated household without offering to the designated household an extended lease for at least 3 years beginning on the day of the giving of the notice of intent.
(b)    (1)    The owner shall set aside at least 20% of the assisted units in an assisted project for designated households to receive extended leases under this subtitle.
(2)    If the number of assisted units occupied by designated households that meet the standards of subsection (a) of this section exceeds 20% of the assisted units, the owner shall allocate the available units:
(i)    first to designated households with an individual described under § 7-213(1) of this subtitle with priority based on length of continuous residence; and
(ii)    then to designated households that do not contain such an individual but include a minor, based on length of continuous residence.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-215 - Extended Leases for Designated Households -- Sale or Conveyance of Assisted Project

If an assisted project includes a unit occupied by a designated household and the assisted project is sold or conveyed after a protected action:
(1)    the provisions of this subtitle concerning extended leases continue to apply despite the sale or conveyance;
(2)    the new landlord shall provide each designated household with written notice of the sale or conveyance; and
(3)    on or before the execution of a contract of sale, the seller shall provide the purchaser with written disclosure of each unit occupied by a designated household subject to the provisions concerning extended leases for designated households.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-216 - Extended Leases for Designated Households -- Application

(a)    Along with the notice of intent, the owner shall deliver to each assisted household:
(1)    an application form on which the assisted household may include the information required by § 7-214(a) of this subtitle;
(2)    an extended lease form for a designated household that contains the terms required by this subtitle and clearly indicates that the lease will be effective only if:
(i)    the assisted household executes and returns the lease form within 60 days after the giving of the notice of intent; and
(ii)    the assisted household is allocated one of the units made available to designated households, based on its ranking under § 7-214(b) of this subtitle and the number of assisted households executing and returning leases; and
(3)    a notice that sets forth the rights and obligations of the assisted household under the provisions of this subtitle concerning extended leases for designated households.
(b)    Within 75 days after the giving of the notice of intent, the owner shall notify each assisted household that submits the documentation required by § 7-214 of this subtitle:
(1)    whether the household meets the standards of § 7-214 of this subtitle, or, if not, an explanation of which standards have not been met; and
(2)    whether the extended lease has become effective.
(c)    (1)    (i)    An extended lease for a designated household shall be for a term beginning on acceptance and ending at least 3 years after the giving of the notice of intent.
(ii)    The initial periodic rent for the extended lease may not exceed the amount the household is required to contribute for rent under the household’s current lease.
(2)    The periodic rent may be increased only on the anniversary of the assisted household’s extended lease, and the increase may not exceed the product of the amount the household must contribute for periodic rent for the preceding year multiplied by the percentage increase for the U.S. Consumer Price Index that the Secretary selects for the most recent 12-month period.
(3)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, the extended lease shall contain the same terms and conditions as the lease in effect on the day before the giving of the notice of intent.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-217 - Extended Leases for Designated Households -- Additional Notice

Within 75 days after giving the notice of intent, the owner shall provide to each party required to receive the notice of intent:
(1)    a notice indicating the number of units in the assisted project being made available to designated households under § 7-214(b) of this subtitle;
(2)    a list of the households meeting the standards of § 7-214(a) of this subtitle, indicating the ranking of each under § 7-214(b) of this subtitle;
(3)    a list of the households returning the documents required by § 7-214(a) of this subtitle that do not meet all of the standards of that subsection and copies of the notices sent to those households under § 7-216(b) of this subtitle; and
(4)    a list of the households with effective extended leases.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-218 - Termination by Designated Household

(a)    (1)    A designated household may terminate an extended lease at any time by giving written notice to the landlord:
(i)    at least 1 month in advance, if less than 12 months remain on the lease; or
(ii)    at least 3 months in advance, if 12 months or more remain on the lease.
(2)    An extended lease for a designated household under this subtitle shall include the termination provisions of this section.
(b)    The extended tenancy of a designated household ends:
(1)    90 days after the last member of the assisted household who lived in the unit on the date of the notice of intent dies or moves from the unit;
(2)    on eviction for failure to pay rent or for violation of another material term of the extended lease; or
(3)    on voluntary termination by the designated household under subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-219 - Relocation During Rehabilitation

(a)    This section applies if a protected action involves substantial rehabilitation or reconstruction that does not allow continued occupancy of a unit because of danger to the health and safety of the household.
(b)    (1)    The owner shall give notice of the reconstruction or rehabilitation at least 1 year before the date when the unit must be vacated.
(2)    The notice shall explain the household’s rights under this section.
(c)    (1)    To allow work to be performed in a unit, a designated household with an extended lease under § 7-216 of this subtitle may be required to:
(i)    vacate the unit not earlier than 1 year after the giving of the notice of intent; and
(ii)    relocate at the expense of the owner to a comparable unit in the assisted project.
(2)    (i)    If a comparable unit is not available, the designated household may be required to vacate the assisted project until the work is completed.
(ii)    When the work is completed, the owner shall notify the designated household of the completion of the work.
(iii)    The designated household has 30 days to return to the original or a comparable rental unit after the owner notifies the designated household that the work is completed.
(iv)    The term of the extended lease begins when the designated household returns to the assisted project.
(3)    The owner shall pay all reasonable relocation expenses of a designated household required as a result of subsection (d) of this section.
(d)    (1)    The owner shall pay relocation expenses in accordance with § 7-212(b)(2) of this subtitle on or before the date when the designated household vacates the unit.
(2)    The owner shall also reimburse a designated household that returns to its unit under subsection (c)(2) of this section for its relocation expenses in accordance with § 7-212(b) of this subtitle.
(e)    (1)    In accordance with the schedule of fair market rents of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in effect on the moving date, within 15 days after that date, the owner shall pay compensation equivalent to 3 months’ rent for a unit of comparable size and quality to each designated household eligible under this subsection.
(2)    A designated household is eligible for compensation under this subsection if it:
(i)    is current in its rent payments and has not violated any other material term of its lease;
(ii)    includes an individual described under § 7-213(1) of this subtitle and:
1.    does not have an extended lease; or
2.    cannot have an extended lease because the number of assisted units set aside under § 7-214(b) of this subtitle is less than the number of qualified households; or
(iii)    otherwise qualifies for an extended lease but is required to vacate its unit under subsection (c)(2) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 2 - Protected Actions › Section 7-220 - Rental Housing Emergency

(a)    (1)    After notice and public hearing, a political subdivision may find that, because of a protected action, a low-income and moderate-income rental housing emergency exists in all or part of its jurisdiction.
(2)    The political subdivision shall make findings as to:
(i)    the nature and incidence of protected actions;
(ii)    the resulting hardship to and displacement of tenants; and
(iii)    the scarcity of low-income and moderate-income rental housing.
(b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, on finding that there is an emergency under this section, a political subdivision may enact a law, ordinance, or regulation to:
(i)    grant to a designated household a right to an extended lease for a period in addition to that granted under § 7-214 of this subtitle; or
(ii)    extend any other provision of this subtitle concerning extended leases.
(2)    A political subdivision may not require that:
(i)    more than 20% of assisted units in an assisted project be set aside for extended leases for designated households; or
(ii)    the term of an extended lease for any household made a designated household by the political subdivision exceed 3 years.
(3)    The political subdivision may require that the notice required under § 7-216(a)(3) of this subtitle be modified to disclose the effects of any actions taken under this section.
(c)    Within 10 days after enacting a law, ordinance, or regulation in accordance with this section, a political subdivision shall send a copy to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Housing and Community Development.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 3 - Rights and Duties › Section 7-302 - Relinquishment of Rights by Tenant Prohibited

(a)    A tenant may not:
(1)    waive or assign the tenant’s rights under this title; or
(2)    receive consideration to relinquish rights under this title.
(b)    A waiver or relinquishment made in violation of this section is void.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 3 - Rights and Duties › Section 7-303 - Owner's Notice to New Tenant After Notice of Intent

If a new tenant moves into an assisted unit after a notice of intent is given, the owner shall give the new tenant written notice that:
(1)    sets forth any rent increase that the owner plans after the protected action; and
(2)    states that the new tenant will not be entitled to tenant protection assistance.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 3 - Rights and Duties › Section 7-304 - Termination of Lease by Owner Without Cause Prohibited

Before taking a protected action, an owner may not terminate without cause the leasehold interest of a tenant occupying an assisted unit to avoid the owner’s obligations under this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 3 - Rights and Duties › Section 7-305 - Excess Rent as Grounds for Lease Termination and Possession of Premises

(a)    In this section, “excess rent” means rent that exceeds the rent payable by a tenant under the tenant’s lease as of the date of the notice of intent, adjusted as allowed under § 7-212(c) of this title.
(b)    Until 1 year has passed since the owner gave notice of intent, and the owner complies with the requirements of this title, nonpayment of excess rent is not grounds for an owner to:
(1)    terminate a lease of an assisted unit; or
(2)    sue for possession of the leased property.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 3 - Rights and Duties › Section 7-306 - Duties of Owner in Connection With Protected Action

(a)    In connection with a protected action, an owner:
(1)    may not terminate or alter the terms and conditions of a lease entered into before the effective date of the protected action;
(2)    may not interfere with the efforts of individual tenants to obtain housing subsidies or other public assistance;
(3)    may not discriminate based on source of income or receipt of a housing subsidy;
(4)    may not interfere with the rights of a tenant to occupy an assisted unit under an existing lease or applicable federal, State, or local law; and
(5)    shall cooperate with a tenant to execute all necessary documents to enable the payment of housing subsidies to or for the tenant.
(b)    If the owner has interfered with a tenant’s application for a housing subsidy or other public assistance, the nonpayment of any amount of rent for an assisted unit in excess of 30% of the tenant’s income is not grounds for the owner to terminate the lease or sue for possession of the leased property.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 3 - Rights and Duties › Section 7-307 - Owner's Sworn Statement of Compliance

The person responsible for the closing of a real estate transaction shall file with the Department a written statement, made and signed by the owner under the penalties of perjury, that the transaction complies with this title, if the transaction includes:
(1)    a sale or conveyance of an assisted project or the real property associated with it, and:
(i)    is a protected action; or
(ii)    occurred within 10 years after a protected action for which the owner failed to comply with this title; or
(2)    a release of:
(i)    a mortgage secured by an assisted project; or
(ii)    a regulatory agreement or other document executed in connection with the mortgage that restricts the income levels of the tenants or the rental rates of the assisted project.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 4 - Enforcement › Section 7-401 - Authorized Enforcement Entities

This title may be enforced at law or in equity by:
(1)    the Department;
(2)    an assisted household in occupancy when the owner delivered or should have delivered a notice of intent;
(3)    a political subdivision where the assisted project is located; or
(4)    the public housing authority.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 4 - Enforcement › Section 7-403 - Consumer Protection Division

A violation of this title is within the scope of the enforcement duties and powers of the Division of Consumer Protection of the Office of the Attorney General under Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article, if the violation results in:
(1)    displacement of a tenant or former tenant from an assisted unit;
(2)    increased rents for a tenant or former tenant of an assisted unit; or
(3)    another violation of the rights of a tenant or former tenant of an assisted unit.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 7 - Assisted Housing Preservation Act › Subtitle 4 - Enforcement › Section 7-404 - False Statements or Reports

(a)    (1)    A person may not knowingly make or cause to be made a false statement or report in a document that is required to be submitted under this title.
(2)    A person may not knowingly make or cause to be made a false statement or report to influence the action of the Department in connection with this title.
(b)    A person who violates this title is subject to civil liability and to a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000,000.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-101 - Definitions

(a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Community action agency” means:
(1)    a governmental unit in a political subdivision;
(2)    a governmental unit created by a combination of political subdivisions;
(3)    an agency designated as a community action agency under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as amended by the Community Services Block Grant Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9901 through 9926; or
(4)    a private, nonprofit organization that meets the requirements for designation as a community action agency.
(c)    “Designation” means the selection of a proposed community action agency by a governing body.
(d)    “Governing body” means:
(1)    the county council, board of commissioners, or other legislative body of a political subdivision that collectively possesses the power to adopt and carry out local laws and ordinances; or
(2)    in Baltimore City, the Board of Estimates.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-103 - Purposes of Title

The purposes of this title are to:
(1)    strengthen the ability of communities to plan and coordinate available federal, State, local, and private resources by making the resources more responsive to local needs and conditions; and
(2)    strengthen, supplement, and coordinate efforts to combat the causes and problems of poverty in the State by:
(i)    mobilizing resources of private and public economic entities to increase opportunities for low–income State residents to develop skills, knowledge, and capabilities;
(ii)    developing the full potential of low–income State residents so that everyone can live in decency and dignity and achieve individual and family self–sufficiency; and
(iii)    promoting the development, evaluation, and use of new approaches to attack the causes and problems of poverty.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-104 - Making, Changing, or Revoking Designation

(a)    A political subdivision may designate a community action agency to serve a community within the political subdivision or may change or revoke a designation by:
(1)    an act, an ordinance, or a resolution of its governing body; or
(2)    an order of its chief executive, if the chief legal officer certifies in writing that the chief executive has power to make the designation.
(b)    (1)    The governing body shall notify the public and hold a public hearing before a designation is made, changed, or revoked.
(2)    A transition or close-down plan shall accompany the notification of a proposed change or revocation of a designation.
(c)    A change in or revocation of a designation takes effect at the start of the State fiscal year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-105 - Community Action Board

(a)    (1)    A community action agency shall administer its programs through a community action board.
(2)    A community action board consists of at least 15 members, of whom:
(i)    one–third are elected public officials currently holding office, or their designees;
(ii)    at least one–third are chosen by a democratic selection method designed to assure that they will represent low–income persons in the community; and
(iii)    the others are officials or members of business, industry, labor, religious, welfare, education, or other major groups and interests in the community.
(3)    A member chosen to represent a geographic area shall reside in the area.
(4)    A person selected under paragraph (2)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection may not serve for more than 5 years consecutively or for more than a total of 10 years.
(b)    If a community action agency is a governmental unit:
(1)    its community action board may serve as an advisory body; and
(2)    with the approval of the governing body, the governmental unit may delegate to the community action board any of its powers or responsibilities under this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-106 - Powers of Community Action Agency

(a)    (1)    A community action agency may accept and administer:
(i)    financial assistance received under this title;
(ii)    money and contributions from private or local public sources for community action programs;
(iii)    money from State or federal assistance programs under which a public or private nonprofit organization may act as a grantee, contractor, or sponsor of projects suitable for community action programs; and
(iv)    federal money from federal block grants previously designated as antipoverty money, subject to applicable federal law.
(2)    A community action agency may transfer money and delegate responsibility to a subsidiary board, council, or similar agency for projects designed to further community action program objectives.
(b)    Responsibility for making policy determinations, including the characters, funding, extent, and administration of and budgeting for programs or projects affecting a particular geographic area in a community may be delegated by a community action agency to a subsidiary board, council, or similar agency if the subsidiary body is broadly representative of the area.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-107 - Duties of Community Action Agency

(a)    A community action agency shall plan systematically for an effective community action program, and in doing so shall:
(1)    evaluate information on the causes and problems of poverty in the community;
(2)    assess the use and impact of current financial assistance; and
(3)    establish priorities among projects, activities, and target areas to achieve the best and most efficient use of resources.
(b)    A community action agency shall:
(1)    encourage subsidiary boards, councils, and agencies engaged in projects related to a community action program to plan for, secure, and administer available financial assistance on a cooperative basis; and
(2)    provide technical and organizational assistance to the subsidiary boards, councils, and agencies.
(c)    A community action agency shall actively supplement local efforts to combat poverty by:
(1)    focusing resources on the most needy;
(2)    providing employment opportunities for low–income persons;
(3)    closing service gaps; and
(4)    enabling low–income persons to participate in community action programs and projects.
(d)    A community action agency shall initiate and sponsor community projects to help meet the needs of low–income persons with particular emphasis on:
(1)    establishing a pool of resources to serve a variety of community action programs;
(2)    developing versatile approaches and services; and
(3)    implementing stopgap measures pending the expansion or modification of community action programs.
(e)    A community action agency shall:
(1)    establish procedures for community residents to:
(i)    influence the character of their community action programs; and
(ii)    participate regularly in implementing those programs; and
(2)    provide the necessary technical and advisory support to enable low–income persons and community groups to secure public and private financial assistance for themselves.
(f)    A community action agency shall join with and encourage business, labor, and other private or public officials and organizations to support community action programs that:
(1)    use private resources and capabilities for new employment opportunities;
(2)    stimulate investments that measurably reduce poverty in areas of concentrated poverty; and
(3)    provide residents in those areas with methods to work with private organizations, firms, and institutions to seek solutions to problems of common concern.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-107.1 - Provision of Feminine Hygiene Products. [Effective Until October 1, 2027]

// EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2027 PER CHAPTER 725 OF 2022 //
(a)    Subject to the appropriation of funding in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, during fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, Southern Maryland Tri–County Community Action Committee, Inc., United Communities Against Poverty, Inc., and Community Assistance Network, Inc., in collaboration with the appropriate local health department, shall make available feminine hygiene products, as defined in § 4–2401 of this article, in an amount sufficient to meet the needs of the woman obtaining the feminine hygiene products.
(b)    Southern Maryland Tri–County Community Action Committee, Inc., United Communities Against Poverty, Inc., and Community Assistance Network, Inc. may not require payment for the feminine hygiene products made available under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)    For fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill funding in an amount estimated to be sufficient for providing feminine hygiene products as required under this subsection.
(d)    On or before December 1, 2026, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the implementation of this section and any findings and recommendations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 8 - Community Action Agencies › Section 8-109 - Regulations

(a)    The Secretary shall adopt regulations to carry out this title.
(b)    The regulations shall include provisions that:
(1)    ensure that each designated community action agency receives at least as much federal money as the community action agency received in federal fiscal year 1994, unless the federal funding is reduced; and
(2)    allocate remaining federal money to those community action agencies that received a lesser share of program federal money in federal fiscal year 1994 than they would have received based on the number of persons in the local jurisdiction with household income below the poverty line set by the federal Office of Management and Budget as a percentage of the number of persons in the State with household income below that line.
(c)    (1)    By regulation, the Secretary shall adopt standards for distributing financial assistance under § 8–108 of this title.
(2)    The distribution standards shall include the percentage of persons in poverty, based on the most current census population information.
(3)    The distribution standards may address specific problems in rural communities, minimum financing necessary to maintain program operations, and the potential for additional local and private financing.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 1 - Definitions; Findings › Section 9-101 - Definitions

(a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Board” means the Community Reinvestment Board.
(c)    “Community reinvestment assistance” means a loan, assurance, guarantee, grant, payment, credit enhancement, or other assistance provided by the Fund as set forth in § 9-404 of this title, or a commitment to provide the assistance.
(d)    “Community reinvestment project” means a project or program eligible under § 9-402 of this title to receive community reinvestment assistance from the Fund.
(e)    “Fund” means the Community Reinvestment Fund.
(f)    “Limited income household” means a household or individual whose income does not exceed the upper income limits that the Secretary establishes.
(g)    “Member” means a member of the Board.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 1 - Definitions; Findings › Section 9-102 - Findings

(a)    The General Assembly finds that:
(1)    some communities and neighborhoods in the State are in economic and social distress because of a shortage of significant private investment;
(2)    financial institutions in the State are recognizing a heightened responsibility to provide financial assistance to these communities and neighborhoods; and
(3)    federal and State regulators are requiring more community reinvestment by these financial institutions.
(b)    The General Assembly therefore finds that the public interest is served by promoting the development of a financial vehicle to be operated by private financial institutions to:
(1)    increase community reinvestment to neighborhoods and communities in the State that have urgent need for reinvestment;
(2)    make community reinvestment by financial institutions easier and more desirable by spreading the financial risk and offering the experience of the State in providing community reinvestment lending; and
(3)    forge partnerships among financial institutions and the State in meeting community reinvestment goals.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 2 - Community Reinvestment Board › Section 9-202 - Membership

(a)    (1)    The Board consists of at least 17 members.
(2)    The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Secretary of Commerce or their designees are nonvoting members.
(3)    The Governor shall appoint at least 15 voting members.
(b)    (1)    Subject to the requirements of this subsection, the voting members shall be appointed and removed in accordance with the organizational documents of the Fund.
(2)    At least two–thirds of the voting members shall represent:
(i)    the commercial banking or savings institution industry in the State or other participants that have pledged or contributed money or other substantial assistance to the Fund; or
(ii)    trade organizations consisting of or otherwise representing two or more members of the commercial banking or savings institution industry in the State or other participants that have contributed money or other substantial assistance to the Fund.
(3)    At least 20% of the voting members shall represent community groups or other entities that may be eligible to receive community reinvestment assistance.
(4)    The majority of voting members shall represent the groups described in paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection.
(c)    A member of the Board may be a director or member or may have some other legal status required by or appropriate to the type of entity constituting the Fund.
(d)    (1)    The term of a voting member may not exceed 3 years.
(2)    A voting member may be reappointed.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 2 - Community Reinvestment Board › Section 9-204 - Operation, Powers, and Duties

(a)    Subject to the requirements of this title, the organizational documents of the Fund shall govern the operation of the Board, including quorum and voting requirements.
(b)    The Board has all powers arising from the documents and procedures creating and organizing the Fund as an independent legal entity.
(c)    The Board shall:
(1)    operate the Fund;
(2)    keep proper records of the Board’s accounts;
(3)    establish standards and guidelines for:
(i)    the terms and conditions of community reinvestment assistance and other Fund reinvestments; and
(ii)    allocating community reinvestment assistance and other Fund investments;
(4)    apportion among Fund transactions the operating costs of the Fund; and
(5)    within the first 90 days of each fiscal year, make an annual report of Fund activities to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.
(d)    (1)    The Board shall appoint a loan committee to review and make determinations on specific requests or categories of requests for community reinvestment assistance to community reinvestment projects.
(2)    The loan committee may review and make recommendations to the Board on other matters as the Board determines, including eligibility guidelines and financing policies for community reinvestment projects.
(3)    The loan committee consists of:
(i)    the Secretary of Housing and Community Development and the Secretary of Commerce or their designees as nonvoting members; and
(ii)    the voting members that the Board appoints or their designees.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 3 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Section 9-301 - Established; Purpose of Fund

(a)    There is a Community Reinvestment Fund.
(b)    The purpose of the Fund is to administer the use and reinvestment of money that may be credited, paid, or otherwise transferred to the Fund from any entity approved by the Board to participate in the Fund, including a bank, savings institution, or other financial institution.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 3 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Section 9-302 - Status; Exemptions

(a)    (1)    The Fund is a private, independent legal entity to be assisted by the Department under this title and is not a governmental unit of the State.
(2)    Any dividends, royalties, or other earnings received from community reinvestment assistance, or from any other investment made by the Board under this title, is money of the Fund, and is not money of the State.
(b)    Except as specified in this title, the organization and operation of the Board and the Fund are not subject to approval by the Board of Public Works or by any State official or unit.
(c)    A member, employee, or agent of the Board or the Fund is not a State official by virtue of any status with or action for the Fund.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 3 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Section 9-303 - Organization

(a)    The Board shall determine the form of the independent legal entity constituting the Fund in accordance with the organizational documents of the Fund.
(b)    In accordance with the organizational documents of the Fund, an entity contributing money to the Fund may be entitled to receive:
(1)    interests in the Fund in proportion to the entity’s contribution, in an amount and in a form that the Board determines; and
(2)    a return on its contribution to the Fund based on:
(i)    the entity’s share; and
(ii)    a fixed rate of return or the amount of any dividends, royalties, or other earnings of the Fund, or on another formula and in a form that the Board determines.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 3 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Section 9-304 - Application of Other Laws

(a)    Titles 11 through 17 of the State Finance and Procurement Article do not apply to the operation of or any transactions made by the Fund.
(b)    Meetings of the Board or its members or of employees or agents of the Fund are not subject to State requirements for open or public meetings, including any requirements for open sessions under Title 3 of the General Provisions Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 3 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Section 9-305 - Use of Fund Money

(a)    The Board shall use the money administered by the Fund to provide community reinvestment assistance in accordance with this title, any other applicable law, and the organizational documents of the Fund.
(b)    The Board may use the money that the Fund administers to:
(1)    ensure a reasonable return on money held by the Fund before disbursing money for community reinvestment assistance;
(2)    pay expenses incurred in its formation and operation, including expenses for administrative, legal, actuarial, and other services; and
(3)    redeem interests in the Fund.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 3 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Section 9-307 - Powers of Department of Housing and Community Development and Department of Commerce

(a)    The Department may provide money for administrative, legal, and other organizational expenses of the Fund.
(b)    The Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Commerce may:
(1)    provide technical assistance for:
(i)    operating and administering the Fund; and
(ii)    underwriting proposed community reinvestment projects; and
(2)    charge reasonable and customary fees for the technical assistance.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 4 - Reinvestment Assistance › Section 9-401 - Household Income Limits

The Secretary shall establish upper income limits for limited income households, taking into consideration factors that include:
(1)    the total income of the household available for housing needs;
(2)    the size of the household;
(3)    the cost and condition of housing facilities;
(4)    the ability of the household to compete successfully in the conventional private housing market; and
(5)    relevant standards and definitions established for federal housing programs.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 4 - Reinvestment Assistance › Section 9-402 - Requirements for Community Reinvestment Projects

(a)    A project qualifies as a community reinvestment project if the Secretary determines in writing that the community reinvestment project meets:
(1)    affordable housing needs of limited income households in the State;
(2)    capital, operating, and other credit needs of small businesses in the State, including farm businesses, if the assets, income, and number of employees of the business do not exceed limits that the Secretary of Commerce establishes; or
(3)    capital, operating, and other credit needs of individuals, community organizations, and businesses located in or serving communities or neighborhoods in the State that have urgent needs for reinvestment due to deteriorating social or economic conditions.
(b)    A community reinvestment project shall:
(1)    conform to eligibility guidelines and financing policies consistent with this subtitle that the Board develops and the Secretary approves; and
(2)    be submitted to and approved by the loan committee appointed by the Board under § 9–204(d) of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 4 - Reinvestment Assistance › Section 9-403 - Applications for Assistance

(a)    An application for community reinvestment assistance shall be made to the Department of Housing and Community Development, to the Department of Commerce, to an entity contributing to the Fund, or, if the Board allows, directly to the Fund.
(b)    The Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Commerce may provide technical assistance in the underwriting or review of a loan for which an application has been submitted.
(c)    The loan committee shall base its action on an application on the review of the application and recommendations made by one or more parties listed in subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 9 - Community Reinvestment Fund › Subtitle 4 - Reinvestment Assistance › Section 9-404 - Methods of Providing Assistance

To provide community reinvestment assistance, the Board may:
(1)    invest in, purchase, make commitments to purchase, or take assignments from mortgage lenders of notes and mortgages evidencing mortgage loans;
(2)    act as a guarantor or conduit for mortgage backed securities;
(3)    make loans to recipients of community reinvestment assistance or to mortgage lenders;
(4)    sell at public or private sale mortgages, loans, or other obligations held by the Fund;
(5)    purchase, make, participate in making, or enter into commitments to purchase loans;
(6)    package and sell loans; and
(7)    do anything else authorized by the organizational documents of the Fund.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 10 - Maryland Affordable Housing Trust › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 10-101 - Definitions

(a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Award” means a grant, loan, deferred payment loan, loan guarantee, or other financial assistance.
(c)    “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(d)    “Fund” means the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
(e)    “Trust” means the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust.
(f)    “Trustee” means a member of the Board.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 10 - Maryland Affordable Housing Trust › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 10-102 - Trust Established

(a)    There is a Maryland Affordable Housing Trust.
(b)    (1)    The Trust is an instrumentality of the State and is a body corporate and politic.
(2)    The exercise by the Trust of its powers under this title is an essential public function.
(c)    The purpose of the Trust is to make affordable housing more available throughout the State.
(d)    The Department shall provide staff for the Trust.