Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 6 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties
Section 17-608 - "Blockbusting" Prohibited

(a)    (1)    In this subsection, “handicap” and “familial status” each have the meanings indicated in the federal Fair Housing Act.
        (2)    Whether or not acting for monetary gain, a person may not knowingly induce or attempt to induce another person to sell or rent a dwelling or otherwise transfer real estate or knowingly discourage or attempt to discourage another person from buying real estate by:
            (i)    making representations about the entry or prospective entry into a neighborhood of individuals of a particular race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status, or national origin;
            (ii)    making representations about the existing or potential proximity of real property owned or used by individuals of a particular race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status, or national origin; or
            (iii)    representing that the existing or potential proximity of real property owned or used by individuals of a particular race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status, or national origin will or may result in:
                1.    the lowering of property values;
                2.    a change in the racial, religious, or ethnic character of the block, neighborhood, or area;
                3.    an increase in criminal or antisocial behavior in the area; or
                4.    a decline in the quality of schools serving the area.
    (b)    A person may not provide financial assistance by loan, gift, or otherwise to another person if the person has actual knowledge that the financial assistance will be used in a transaction that results from a violation of subsection (a) of this section.

Structure Maryland Statutes