Bill On Rental Housing Discrimination Sent Back

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Senate has voted to send a measure aiming to address rental housing discrimination back to committee, likely ending its chances of passing this year.

After debate that spanned three days, the Senate voted 23-22 to send the bill back for more work.

Since there is less than two weeks left in the session with much other work to be done, supporters concede the bill is effectively dead for the year.

A primary focus of the measure was to prevent landlords from declining to rent to people who get government assistance for housing.

Supporters argued the bill would stop discrimination against the poor. Opponents contended the measure failed to sufficiently consider the position of landlords and forced them to participate in a government program.

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