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SB 941

Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shaneka Henson

SB 941 authorizes Maryland's housing department to create intervention plans for properties presenting severe health and safety risks to protect public welfare.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 631
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 941

Legislative bill overview

SB 941 establishes an intervention framework for properties deemed to pose severe health and safety risks, empowering the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and implement intervention plans. The bill creates a structured process for identifying, assessing, and addressing dangerous properties that threaten public welfare.

Why is this important

Severe health and safety risks in properties—such as structural failures, hazardous materials, or unsanitary conditions—can cause injuries, disease, and death while destabilizing neighborhoods. This legislation provides a formal mechanism to address these problems systematically rather than reactively, potentially reducing liability for municipalities and improving living conditions in affected areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Property owner rights and due process: Concerns about whether property owners receive adequate notice, hearing opportunities, and legal recourse before intervention measures are imposed
  • Implementation costs and funding: Unclear whether the state or local jurisdictions will bear financial responsibility for developing and executing intervention plans, particularly for properties owned by insolvent or absent owners
  • Defining "severe health and safety risk": The bill's criteria for what qualifies as severe enough to trigger intervention may be ambiguous, creating inconsistent application across jurisdictions or disputes over borderline cases

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

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