Tell Senate President Ferguson and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to pass House Bill 767: the Tenant Possessions Recovery Act (TPRA). Currently in Maryland when a person is evicted, not only do they lose their home but they lose all right to their personal property that may have been left in the home – a practice that the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has held is unconstitutional. Even worse, in many Maryland jurisdictions, a renter’s personal property ends up carelessly thrown out into the public streets for people to steal and destroy. This dehumanizing practice must end!

House Bill 767 will provide families a 14 day notice of their scheduled eviction so that they are aware when their eviction is happening. In addition, if a family is evicted, they are allowed to recover their belongings up to 10 days after the eviction. This kind of notice and reclamation period is standard practice in all of our neighboring states (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington D.C.) as well as states such as Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida. 46 states and Washington D.C. do more than Maryland when it comes to protecting renter’s personal property.

Marylanders, like Sharnae Hunt, should not face the horrible experience of coming home and finding all of their belongings out in the street because of an unjust eviction. It is time for Maryland legislators to ensure evictions are conducted in a more humane and standard way where renters know their exact date of eviction and are allowed the opportunity to reclaim their personal possessions.

The House of Delegates passed this important bill. Now, all eyes turn to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Please use this form to contact key legislators to urge them to take action.