Prince George’s spearheaded a bill during the legislative session extending statewide authority to charter counties who want to modernize penalties for intentional and persistent violators of local codes.
Charter counties won a major victory in protecting the quality of life for residents suffering intentional and persistent violations of local laws by other community members. While civil fines accompany a violation of a local ordinance, the initial penalty was set back in 1990, and has not kept up with the rate of inflation. HB501/SB522 – Charter Counties – Enforcement of Local Laws, passed during the 2024 legislative session, and will help charter counties take a big step forward in holding these violators accountable for repeated infractions.
This bill increases the maximum fine that a charter county can levy for a violation of a local ordinance. The penalty increases from a cap of $1,000, set in 1990, up to $5,000 for a first-time violation. Additionally, it applies to charter county enforcement of the Fair Housing Act of 1988 and any local employment or public accommodation discrimination laws.
The effort was spearheaded by the Prince George’s County Council, but the provisions are statewide for applicable jurisdictions. Local leaders cited that the $1,000 fine has done little to discourage regular disregard by landlords renting dilapidated homes, business dumping trash illegally on roadways, an even, in greater frequency, residents hosting illegal, for-profit house parties.
Councilwoman Jolene Ivey of Prince George’s District 5, shared her perspective during the bill hearing saying that the fines at this point are just the cost of doing business for many of the habitual violators. Another Prince George’s county official added that they are getting calls weekly about these issues. They reiterated that residents deserve better and the county needs a more powerful tool to deliver that for them.
MACo and Baltimore County joined in the fight to help express how important it is that these updates be passed into law. These types of common violations affect the look, smell, and feel of a community and even how community members interact with and support each other. When individuals and businesses create a habit of intentionally violating accepted standards that are required by law, those indiscretions erode the fabric that distinguishes a simple neighborhood from a true community of people.
The new law will take effect on October 1st, 2024.
