Tell the Maryland General Assembly to stop pushing an extreme bill that will strip Maryland families of their constitutional rights in certain eviction cases. The Maryland Senate recently passed SB 46, which would deny lawful Maryland residents of their constitutional rights in a “wrongful detainer” eviction process – and could result in an eviction mere days after filing a complaint. This bill doesn’t just apply to squatters. SB 46 would have the unintended consequence of evicting lawful residents. This means more homelessness for survivors of domestic violence when the abuser files for eviction; more homelessness for lawful tenants subjected to predatory landlords; and more homelessness for families caught in rental scams. SB 46 is now before the House Judiciary Committee.

SB 46 falls in line with the agenda of the American Legislative Exchange Council – ALEC – a corporate-funded think tank that works on legislation to undermine our civil liberties and directly benefit their corporate members. Such legislation has been championed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – which led to an eviction within days for senior-citizen renters who had paid rent and lived in their homes for years.

Without notice and an opportunity to be heard, our legal system becomes about the rule of the powerful instead of the rule of law. SB 46 sets a dangerous precedent that would erode due process for all Maryland residents at a time when our constitutional rights are already under attack.

SB 46 would undermine Marylanders’ constitutional right to due process by:

• Allowing a trial only 4 days after a complaint is filed – leaving no time for a tenant or resident to seek legal representation, take off work, or likely even receive the notice of the court date before the date has passed.

• Shortening the appeal period to 4 days – again leaving no time to seek legal advice – and requiring an eviction immediately after judgement, even if the appeal period isn't over.

• Not requiring the plaintiff-owner to name the defendant-resident even when they know their name, AND allowing the court to issue a court order requiring the defendant to pay money to the plaintiff – even if the defendant never got actual notice of the case.

• Not requiring the plaintiff-owner to prove their case if the defendant-resident does not appear in court – even though a plaintiff must prove their claim in every other type of case

Use this form to tell the House Judiciary Committee, Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, and leadership to reject this extremist bill that undermines our right to due process in eviction proceedings.