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HB 149

Fire Prevention - Assistant Fire Marshals, Residential Rental High-Rise Property Fire Safety Equipment, and Fire Alarm System Technicians

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lorig Charkoudian

Maryland bill strengthens high-rise residential rental fire safety through equipment standards, assistant fire marshals, and technician certifications to reduce fire risks in multi-story buildings.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 422
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Bill Summary · HB 149

Legislative bill overview

HB 149 establishes new regulatory requirements for residential rental high-rise properties in Maryland, including provisions for assistant fire marshals, mandatory fire safety equipment standards, and certification requirements for fire alarm system technicians. The bill aims to strengthen fire prevention and safety oversight in multi-story residential buildings where tenants have less control over building maintenance.

Why is this important

High-rise residential fires pose significant risks to occupants due to evacuation challenges and the concentration of residents. This bill addresses regulatory gaps by creating clearer safety standards and professional oversight mechanisms, potentially reducing fire-related injuries and deaths in rental properties where landlords control safety infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: New safety equipment and technician certification requirements will increase expenses for property owners, potentially passed to renters through higher housing costs
  • Regulatory burden: Establishing new assistant fire marshal positions and certification processes requires funding and may burden small property owners differently than large developers
  • Enforcement authority: Unclear jurisdiction between local fire departments and state oversight, and what remedies exist for non-compliance or inadequate landlord response

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

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