2023 Maryland Statutes › Corporations and Associations › Title 5 - Special Types of Corporations › Subtitle 6B - Maryland Cooperative Housing Corporation Act › Section 5-6B-30 - Dispute Settlements

(a)    The dispute settlement mechanism provided by this section applies to any complaint or demand formally arising on or after January 1, 2015, unless the bylaws of the cooperative housing corporation or the proprietary lease of the member who is a party to the dispute state otherwise.
(b)    (1)    Except as provided in this subsection, a governing body may not impose a fine, suspend voting, bring an action in court to evict, or infringe on any other rights of a member for a violation of:
(i)    The rules of the cooperative housing corporation; or
(ii)    The provisions of the member’s proprietary lease.
(2)    The governing body shall serve the member with a written demand to cease and desist from the alleged violation specifying:
(i)    The alleged violation;
(ii)    The action required to abate the violation; and
(iii)    1.    A time period of not less than 10 days during which the violation may be abated without further sanction if the violation is a continuing one; or
2.    A statement that any further violation of the same rule may result in the imposition of sanction after notice and hearing if the violation is not continuing.
(3)    (i)    If the violation continues past the period specified under paragraph (2)(iii)1 of this subsection, or if the same rule is violated subsequently, the governing body shall serve the member with written notice of a hearing to be held by the governing body in session.
(ii)    The hearing notice shall specify:
1.    The nature of the alleged violation;
2.    The time and place of the hearing, which time may be not less than 10 days from the giving of the notice;
3.    An invitation to attend the hearing and produce any statement, evidence, and witnesses on behalf of the member; and
4.    The proposed sanction to be imposed.
(4)    (i)    The governing body shall hold a hearing on the alleged violation in executive session, in accordance with the notice provided under paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(ii)    At the hearing, the member shall have the right to present evidence and to present and cross–examine witnesses regarding the alleged violation.
(iii)    Prior to imposing any sanction on the member, the governing body shall place in the minutes of the meeting proof of the notice provided to the member under paragraph (3) of this subsection, which shall include:
1.    A copy of the notice, together with a statement of the date and manner of the delivery of the notice; or
2.    A statement that the member in fact appeared at the hearing.
(iv)    The governing body shall place in the minutes of the meeting the results of the hearing and the sanction, if any, imposed on the member.
(c)    A member may appeal a decision of a governing body made in accordance with the dispute settlement procedure described in this section to the courts of Maryland.
(d)    (1)    If a member fails to comply with this subtitle, the bylaws of a cooperative housing corporation, or a decision rendered by the governing body in accordance with this section, the governing body or any other member of the cooperative housing corporation may sue the member for any damages caused by the failure or for injunctive relief.
(2)    The prevailing party in a proceeding authorized under this subsection is entitled to an award for  reasonable attorney’s fees as determined by court.
(e)    The failure of a governing body to enforce a provision of this title, the proprietary lease of a member, or the bylaws of the cooperative housing corporation on any occasion is not a waiver of the right to enforce the provision on any other occasion.