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HB 1196

Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 6 co-sponsors

HB 1196 creates a state mobile home park water quality testing program with phased testing, required remediation, multilingual notices, and a statewide plan to improve safety and t

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 287
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Bill Summary · HB 1196

Summary of Bill HB 1196 (2026) — Environment – Mobile Home Park Water Quality Testing Program

Purpose and Intent

  • Create a mobile home park water quality testing program under the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to protect residents’ access to safe finished water in mobile home parks.
  • Establish a phased testing schedule across all parks, with prioritization for communities facing higher risk factors.
  • Require notice and remediation actions when water quality issues are found.
  • Develop a statewide action plan addressing water quality in mobile home parks and identify funding opportunities for remediation.

Key Provisions

Establishment and Definitions

  • Adds a new subtitle: “Subtitle 4B. Mobile Home Park Water Quality Testing Program” within the Environment Article.
  • Defines terms: action plan, finished water, park, park owner, program, water quality issue, water supply, resident, and related concepts.

Mobile Home Park Water Quality Testing Program (9–4B–01 to 9–4B–06)

  • Created to test finished water at mobile home parks and address water quality concerns.
  • Testing scope includes primary and secondary drinking water standards, as well as secondary maximum contaminant levels (SMCLs), water hardness, iron, calcium, total dissolved solids, and certain chemicals with health advisory levels if applicable.

Department Responsibilities and Testing Schedule (9–4B–02 to 9–4B–03)

  • By Jan 1, 2027: MDE must develop and begin implementing the program.

  • The program must:

    • Ensure materials and communications are available in English, Spanish, and other languages on request.
    • Interview residents to understand concerns (color, odor, taste, appliance damage, health/economic impacts).
    • Develop a park-specific sampling plan to assess finished water quality and concerns.
    • Conduct testing to determine compliance with primary and secondary standards, and other relevant chemicals.

  • Phased testing timeline:

    • By Jan 1, 2028: 25% of parks tested.
    • By Jan 1, 2029: 50% of parks tested.
    • By Jan 1, 2030: 75% of parks tested.
    • By Jan 1, 2031: 100% of parks tested.

  • Prioritization factors include:

    • Parks in census blocks with 40% or more minority residents.
    • Areas known to produce contaminants due to geology.
    • Parks with resident requests or complaints.
    • Parks with finished water from private/community systems.
    • Any other parks identified by MDE.

  • If demand exceeds capacity, MDE must create a waiting list.

  • Testing must be performed by a qualified professional; alternative testing methods may be considered to avoid testing within a mobile home (without resident consent); additional testing and remediation planning can be required upon issues.

Notifications and Remediation (9–4B–04)

  • Within 10 days of receiving test results, MDE must notify:
    • Park owner
    • Local health department
    • Municipality (if applicable)
    • Resident requesting testing (if applicable)
    • Water supplier
  • If a water quality issue is identified, the notice must include:
    • Summary of results and where full results can be found
    • Any violations and guidance for residents
    • Remediation guidance
  • Park owners’ duties upon notice:
    • Notify residents within 5 days, provide information in multiple languages, arrange interpretation if needed, certify compliance, post notices in common areas for at least 120 days, and ensure accessibility of remediation information.
    • Implement remediation plans within 120 days of notice, with schedules and updates; provide access to safe drinking water if needed.
  • Prohibition on passing remediation costs to residents.
  • MDE may issue enforcement orders or penalties for noncompliance; appeals process available.

Statewide Action Plan (9–4B–05)

  • By Jan 1, 2028, MDE must develop a statewide action plan addressing water quality in mobile home parks.
  • The plan must include:
    • Stakeholder outreach and information gathering
    • A status report of testing to date
    • A strategy and timelines for testing parks not yet tested
    • Opportunities to improve water quality (color, taste, odor)
    • A written description of how resident feedback was incorporated
    • Coordination with housing, health, and related agencies
    • Identification of potential funding sources (grants) to support remediation and enforcement

Enforcement (9–4B–06)

  • MDE may issue notices of violation, penalties, or enforcement orders.
  • Penalties: up to $10,000 per violation and $5,000 per subsequent month of continued violations.
  • It is illegal to evict or threaten eviction based on actions taken under this subtitle.
  • Residents retain the right to legal action against park owners.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Mobile home park residents and park owners.
  • Agencies: Maryland Department of the Environment; local health departments; housing authorities; local municipalities (where applicable); water suppliers.
  • Stakeholders for Action Plan: residents, park owners, nonprofit groups, Maryland Rural Water Association, higher education institutions, and other relevant parties.

Timelines and Effective Date

  • Effective date: October 1, 2026.
  • Key targets:
    • Jan 1, 2027: Program development and initiation.
    • Jan 1, 2028 to Jan 1, 2031: Phased park testing to 100% coverage.
    • Jan 1, 2028: Statewide action plan deadline (development separate from implementation).

Fiscal and Administrative Notes

  • The fiscal note indicates the state can develop the action plan and conduct stakeholder engagement with existing resources; no immediate material financial impact anticipated from implementation, though costs depend on the action plan’s scope.
  • Local government impact is not expected to be significant; small business impact deemed minimal.

Takeaway

HB 1196 establishes a structured, language-inclusive mobile home park water quality testing program, with a phased testing schedule, resident-centered communication, compelled remediation actions, and a statewide action plan to address SMCL-related water quality issues in mobile home parks. It emphasizes transparency, resident protections (no pass-through of remediation costs), and coordination with local and state agencies to identify funding and enforcement mechanisms.

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

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