Montgomery County proposes banning housing discrimination based on citizenship status
The hearing on Bill 38-26 will take place on Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Council Office Building in Rockville, Maryland, with options available for virtual testimony.
The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing Sept. 15 to take community testimony on proposed legislation expanding housing protections to prohibit discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status and allowing early lease terminations under specific conditions.
The hearing on Bill 38-26 will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Council Office Building in Rockville, Maryland, with options available for virtual testimony.
Residents wishing to speak must register online by Sept. 14 at 2 p.m.
If enacted, the legislation, titled "Discriminatory Housing Practices and Early Lease Termination – Amendments, would update the county's human rights and landlord-tenant laws. It would make it illegal for housing providers, real estate agents, or lenders to discriminate against buyers or renters based on citizenship or immigration status.
Additionally, the proposal updates the county code regarding lease agreements, establishing guidelines for when landlords may permit tenants to terminate residential leases early without standard penalties.
The full text of the proposed legislation and instructions to sign up to testify are available on the official County Legislative Information System.
