Maryland HB1456: Consumer Protection - Residential Property Advertisement - Ownership Verification

What the bill says

A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Consumer Protection - Residential Property Advertisement - Ownership Verification FOR the purpose of prohibiting a commercial entity from publishing or advertising information on certain residential property unless the commercial entity verifies that the person offering the property is the property's legal owner, or the agent of the legal owner; requiring the commercial entity to maintain the verification for a certain period of time…

From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Consumer Protection - Residential Property Advertisement - Ownership Verification FOR the purpose of prohibiting a commercial entity from publishing or advertising information on certain residential property unless the commercial entity verifies that the person offering the property is the property's legal owner, or the agent of the legal owner; requiring the commercial entity to maintain the verification for a certain period of time; requiring a commercial entity that publishes or advertises certain residential property information in violation of this Act to remove the publication or advertisement; establishing that a violation of this Act is an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice subject to enforcement and penalties under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act; and generally relating to the advertisement of residential property. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Commercial Law Section 13-301(14)(xlvii) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Commercial Law Section 13-301(14)(xlviii) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY adding to Article - Commercial Law Section 13-301(14)(xlix) and 14-1330 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1456* HOUSE BILL 1456 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Elizabeth Embry (D, 43A) · primary sponsor
• Regina Boyce (D, HD-043)
• Mary Lehman (D, HD-021)
• Chao Wu (D, 9A)

Latest actions

1. March 25, 2026: Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
2. March 23, 2026: Referred Finance
3. March 21, 2026: Third Reading Passed (100-29)
4. March 20, 2026: Second Reading Passed with Amendments
5. March 20, 2026: Floor Amendment {453025/1 (Delegate Embry) Adopted
6. March 19, 2026: Motion Special Order until 03/20 (Delegate Amprey) Adopted
7. March 19, 2026: Favorable with Amendments {923423/1 Adopted
8. March 19, 2026: Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters
9. February 17, 2026: Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.
10. February 13, 2026: First Reading Economic Matters

Votes

• Third Reading Passed (100-29) (March 21, 2026): 100 yea, 29 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1456?

HB1456 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Consumer Protection - Residential Property Advertisement - Ownership Verification.

What does HB1456 do?

In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Consumer Protection - Residential Property Advertisement - Ownership Verification FOR the purpose of prohibiting a commercial entity from publishing or advertising information on certain residential property unless the commercial entity verifies that the person offering the property is the property's legal owner, or the agent of the legal owner; requiring the commercial entity to maintain the verification for a certain period of time…

What is the status of HB1456?

In committee as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. (March 25, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1456?

Elizabeth Embry (D, 43A), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1456?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1456?ys=2026RS