§ 17-608. "Blockbusting"

   (a) In general. --

   (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) Providing financial assistance. -- 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.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 56A, § 4-608; 1989, ch. 3, § 1; 1994, ch. 3, § 13; 1995, ch. 431.