1. (a)

   1. (1) After notice and public hearing, a political subdivision may find that, because of a protected action, a low-income and moderate-income rental housing emergency exists in all or part of its jurisdiction.

   2. (2) The political subdivision shall make findings as to:

      1. (i) the nature and incidence of protected actions;
      2. (ii) the resulting hardship to and displacement of tenants; and
      3. (iii) the scarcity of low-income and moderate-income rental housing.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, on finding that there is an emergency under this section, a political subdivision may enact a law, ordinance, or regulation to:

      1. (i) grant to a designated household a right to an extended lease for a period in addition to that granted under § 7-214 of this subtitle; or
      2. (ii) extend any other provision of this subtitle concerning extended leases.

   2. (2) A political subdivision may not require that:

      1. (i) more than 20% of assisted units in an assisted project be set aside for extended leases for designated households; or
      2. (ii) the term of an extended lease for any household made a designated household by the political subdivision exceed 3 years.
   3. (3) The political subdivision may require that the notice required under § 7-216(a)(3) of this subtitle be modified to disclose the effects of any actions taken under this section.
3. (c) Within 10 days after enacting a law, ordinance, or regulation in accordance with this section, a political subdivision shall send a copy to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Housing and Community Development.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2005.