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SB 82

Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property - Penalty

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jack Bailey and 9 co-sponsors

Maryland bill criminalizes counterfeiting and possessing counterfeit real property leases to combat housing fraud and document forgery schemes.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 550
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Bill Summary · SB 82

Legislative bill overview

SB 82 creates new criminal penalties for counterfeiting or possessing counterfeit leases of real property in Maryland. The bill establishes this as a criminal offense with specified penalties, addressing what appears to be a gap in existing counterfeiting statutes that may not explicitly cover real property lease documents.

Why is this important

Counterfeit lease documents can facilitate housing fraud, tenant displacement, and property disputes that harm both legitimate landlords and tenants. By explicitly criminalizing this conduct, the law aims to protect the real estate rental market and establish clearer legal recourse for victims of document fraud schemes.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: The bill's specific definition of "counterfeit lease" may need to distinguish between fraudulently altered leases and entirely forged documents, as enforcement could depend on precise statutory language
  • Penalty proportionality: Questions may arise about whether the assigned penalties appropriately match the severity of the offense compared to other fraud-related crimes in the criminal code
  • Prosecutorial burden: Law enforcement and prosecutors may face challenges in proving intent to counterfeit versus mere possession, particularly in complex real estate disputes involving multiple parties

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

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