Maryland § 12-206

§ 12-206.

    (a)    Whenever a program or project undertaken by a displacing agency or person will result in the displacement of any person, the displacing agency shall provide a relocation assistance advisory program for displaced persons which shall offer the services described in subsection (b) of this section. If the displacing agency determines that any person occupying property immediately adjacent to the real property acquired is caused substantial economic injury because of the acquisition, it may offer that person relocation advisory services under the program.

    (b)    Each relocation assistance advisory program required by subsection (a) of this section includes those measures, facilities, or services necessary or appropriate in order to:

        (1)    Determine any need of displaced persons for relocation assistance;

        (2)    Provide current and continuing information on the availability, prices, and rentals, of comparable decent, safe, and sanitary sales and rental housing, and of suitable commercial properties and locations for displaced businesses and farm operations;

        (3)    Assure that a person may not be required to move from a dwelling unless the person has had a reasonable opportunity to relocate to a comparable replacement dwelling as defined in § 12-201(d) of this subtitle except in the case of:

            (i)    A national emergency declared by the President of the United States;

            (ii)    A major disaster declared by the Governor; or

            (iii)    Any other emergency which requires permanent displacement from a dwelling because of substantial danger to the health or safety of a person;

        (4)    Assist a person displaced from a business or farm operation in obtaining and becoming established in a suitable replacement location;

        (5)    Supply information concerning federal and State housing programs, disaster loan programs, and other federal or State programs offering assistance to displaced persons; and

        (6)    Provide other advisory services to displaced persons in order to minimize hardships on them in adjusting to relocation.

    (c)    Programs or projects undertaken with State and federal financial assistance under this subtitle shall be planned in a manner that:

        (1)    Recognizes, at an early stage in the planning of such programs or projects and before the commencement of any actions which will cause displacements, the problems associated with the displacement of individuals, families, businesses, and farm operations; and

        (2)    Provides for the resolution of such problems in order to minimize adverse impacts on displaced persons and to expedite program or project advancement and completion.

    (d)    The head of the displacing agency shall coordinate the relocation activities performed by that agency with other federal, State, or local governmental actions in the community which could affect the efficient and effective delivery of relocation assistance and related services.