EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Spector
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Title
Multiple-Family Dwellings - First Amendment Accommodations
FOR the purpose of preserving the constitutional rights of occupants of multiple-family dwellings; prohibiting bylaws, rules, regulations, or actions that impair certain constitutional rights or that prohibit or deny reasonable accommodation for religious practices; imposing certain penalties; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to the regulation of apartment houses, condominiums, and other multiple-family dwellings.
Body
BY repealing and reordaining, without amendments
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Renewal
Section(s) 5-1(d)
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
BY adding
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Renewal
Section(s) 5-22, under the amended subtitle designation,
"Subtitle 5. Multiple-Family Dwellings and Rooming Houses"
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
BY repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article 13 - Housing and Urban Renewal
Section(s) 5-21
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 13. Housing and Urban Renewal
Subtitle 5. [Licensing of] Multiple-Family Dwellings and Rooming Houses
§ 5-1. Definitions.
(d) Multiple-family dwelling.
"Multiple-family dwelling" has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Property Maintenance Code of Baltimore City.
§ 5-22. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
NO BYLAW, RULE, OF REGULATION GOVERNING A MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING, NOR ANY ACTION OR INACTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY OR MANAGEMENT OF A MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING, MAY:
(1) IMPAIR ANY RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION OR BY ARTICLES 36 AND 40 OF THE MARYLAND DECLARATION OF RIGHTS; OR
(2) PROHIBIT OR DENY ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, INCLUDING (BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATION AND NOT BY WAY OF LIMITATION):
(I) THE ATTACHMENT OF A RELIGIOUSLY MANDATED OBJECT TO THE FRONT-DOOR AREA OF A DWELLING UNIT; OR
(II) IN HIGH RISES, THE ADJUSTMENT OF ELEVATORS TO ALLOW FOR AUTOMATIC-STOPPING OPERATIONS.
§ 5-24. [§ 5-21.] Penalties.
(a) In general.
Any person who violates a provision of this subtitle or of a rule, regulation, or order adopted or issued under this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:
(1) FOR A VIOLATION OF § 5-22 {"CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS"} OF THIS SUBTITLE, A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $1,000 FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND
(2) FOR ANY OTHER VIOLATION, a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.
(b) Each day a separate offense.
Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the date it is enacted.
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