Panel Discussion on Maryland's New 'Safe Homes' Law, OCT. 27
October 20, 2010
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Maryland Delegate Cheryl D. Glenn will lead a University of Baltimore School of Law panel discussion on Maryland's new rental housing protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at noon in the Venable Baetjer Howard Moot Court Room in the School of Law's Angelos Law Center, 1415 Maryland Ave. A new community education brochure created by University of Baltimore School of Law students for distribution online, at district courthouses throughout the state and to sexual assault and domestic violence service providers, will be unveiled at the event. The discussion is free and open to the public (details and registration information listed below).
Confirmed speakers at the October 27 event include:
- Del. Cheryl D. Glenn, primary sponsor of the bill;
- Susan Tannenbaum, senior attorney for the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau;
- Michele Gilman, professor of law and director of the Civil Advocacy Clinic at the University of Baltimore School of Law;
- University of Baltimore School of Law alumna Elizabeth Kenderdine, J.D. '10.
Other speakers will be added to the program as confirmed.
The law, which went into effect Oct. 1, provides housing protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. These individuals will be now be able to terminate leases early if they need to move for their safety; obtain a lock change from their landlord; and have an eviction action brought on the basis of conduct related to domestic violence or sexual assault.
Prior to the passage of this law, commonly referred to as the "Safe Homes Act," Maryland offered no rental housing protections to victims, despite the established connection between domestic violence and homelessness for families. Gilman, who also serves as a co-director of the law school's Center on Applied Feminism, spearheaded a diverse coalition of advocacy organizations, legal non-profits, and law students which drafted, negotiated and lobbied for the bill. The coalition's advance work was entirely successful: the bill passed both houses of Maryland's General Assembly unanimously on the first vote.
Under the direction of Rachel Camp, a clinical fellow at the School of Law, current family law clinic students continue to work with other coalition members in order to educate service providers and the community about the new law. These students have created a brochure outlining the new protections which they intend to distribute widely throughout Maryland, in the hopes that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault will be easily able to determine their housing rights under Maryland law.
Advance registration for this discussion is suggested as space is limited. Lunch will be served for attendees. To R.S.V.P. for this event, visit the School of Law's web calendar. For more information, visit the School of Law's website.