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Bill

HB 628

An Act providing for a prohibition on solicitation of owners of residential real property within defined geographic areas by real estate brokers, salespersons or other persons regularly engaged in the trade or business of buying and selling real estate, for homeowner cease and desist zones and for homeowner cease and desist lists; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Andre Carroll and 6 co-sponsors

Creates opt-out mechanism blocking real estate solicitation in designated zones/lists, protecting homeowners from unwanted contact but raising free speech and enforcement concerns.

Referred to Housing & Community Development
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 628

Legislative bill overview

HB 628 would prohibit real estate brokers, salespersons, and investors from soliciting homeowners in designated "cease and desist zones" or those on "cease and desist lists" without explicit permission. The bill establishes a mechanism for homeowners to opt out of unsolicited real estate solicitation and imposes penalties on violators.

Why is this important

Real estate solicitation—often aggressive "we buy houses" marketing—disproportionately targets older residents, minorities, and distressed homeowners vulnerable to predatory offers or scams. This bill addresses harassment while potentially protecting vulnerable populations from exploitative practices. However, it may limit legitimate real estate market information flow and raises questions about enforcement mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech/commercial speech concerns: Real estate professionals may argue unsolicited contact constitutes protected commercial speech, potentially triggering constitutional challenges
  • Geographic boundary disputes: Defining "cease and desist zones" raises questions about who designates them, on what basis, and whether they unfairly stigmatize or isolate certain neighborhoods
  • Enforcement and penalties: The bill references penalties but doesn't specify their magnitude, creating uncertainty about deterrent effectiveness and potential burden on small real estate agents versus large firms

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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