Bill
SB 728
Charles County requires HOA/condo board members to complete approved training within 90 days of taking office, with 3-year certificates and possible removal for noncompliance.
Status snapshot
- Jurisdiction: Maryland (applies only in Charles County)
- Introduced: early 2025 (bill text shows read first time Jan. 27, 2025)
- Committee: Judicial Proceedings (and related real property sections)
- Effective date referenced in fiscal note: October 1, 2025
- Related/companion: HB 1284
Purpose / intent
- Require standardized training for individuals who serve on governing bodies of common‑ownership communities (condominiums and homeowners associations) in Charles County, with the goal of improving governance, fiduciary competence, and accountability.
Who is covered
- Each member of a board of directors or officer of a council of unit owners of a condominium located in Charles County.
- Each member of a governing body of a homeowners association (HOA) located in Charles County.
Key provisions
- Training requirement (Charles County only)
- Each covered individual must successfully complete a training curriculum on the responsibilities of serving as a board member or officer.
- Training must be developed by a common‑ownership commission recognized by the State or a local government, or by an organization approved by such a recognized commission.
- Timing
- New appointees/elected members: must complete training within 90 days after first taking office.
- Incumbents: individuals in office on the bill’s effective date (Oct. 1, 2025) must complete training within 90 days after beginning a subsequent term.
- Certification, recordkeeping, and reporting
- The board/officers must certify that each member/officer completed the training, retain copies of completion certificates, and report the certification to the common‑ownership commission within 90 days after certification.
- A certificate of completion is valid for 3 years; members still serving when a certificate expires must renew by completing the training again.
- Enforcement / consequences for noncompliance
- If an individual fails to complete required training, the governing body may remove the individual from office or invalidate that individual’s vote.
Legislative and fiscal notes
- The requirement is limited geographically to Charles County; it amends provisions of the Real Property Article (e.g., §11‑109 and §11B‑106.1(g)).
- Fiscal impact: No material State fiscal effect. Charles County costs are minimal unless the county elects to develop/administer the training itself — estimated one‑time cost ≈ $15,000 (FY2026) and ongoing maintenance ≈ $200/year thereafter if the county builds a program. Small businesses not significantly affected.
Practical effect
- Establishes a recurring, documented education standard for local HOA and condominium governance in Charles County, creates a local reporting loop to a common‑ownership commission, and gives governing bodies a mechanism to address untrained members (removal or vote invalidation).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
