Maryland Legal Aid Challenges Baltimore County Eviction Law

Maryland Legal Aid has initiated a lawsuit against Baltimore County, contesting a controversial eviction law that allows the disposal of tenants' belongings deemed 'abandoned' during the eviction process. This legal action comes two years after a similar ordinance in Baltimore City was ruled unconstitutional by the 4th Circuit Court.

The ordinance in question permits the removal of tenants' property without giving them a chance to reclaim it, effectively treating it as abandoned the moment the eviction is executed. The lawsuit emphasizes that this approach can unjustly label essential items—such as medications, identification documents, and personal belongings—as abandoned.

The case is centered around Sherry Gudger, a single mother with multiple sclerosis, who faced eviction from her Halethorpe apartment last August. Gudger received notice of her eviction shortly before the school year began but was unable to remove all her possessions before the eviction date. Upon returning from taking her son to school, she discovered that her belongings had been discarded, including critical items like her passport card and her son’s bed.

Gudger stated, "I became part of this lawsuit because I believe everyone should be treated fairly. A lot of people are going through hard times right now, and what happened to me and my family could happen to someone else."

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, argues that the eviction law violates due-process rights under the 14th Amendment. Gudger is seeking compensation for her lost property and the repeal of the ordinance.

Maryland Legal Aid previously contributed to an amicus brief in a case where the 4th Circuit ruled against a similar law in Baltimore City, highlighting the need for due process in eviction scenarios. Tenant advocates have called for state legislation to ensure that renters have a clear process for reclaiming their belongings after eviction.

Zafar Shah, advocacy director at Maryland Legal Aid, expressed concern over the impact of such laws on vulnerable populations, stating, "Losing your housing is already extremely destabilizing. This policy deepens poverty by stripping individuals of essential belongings during an already difficult time."

Reported by HarborBeat based on Maryland Daily Record (source).