Maryland does NOT rely purely on the national NAR settlement/MLS rule — unlike New York, it has its own real, verifiable state statute. Maryland was already one of ~17 states requiring written buyer brokerage agreements since 2016 (Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 17-534). In direct response to the NAR litigation, the Maryland General Assembly passed SB 542 (2024), signed April 25, 2024, effective October 1, 2024, which amended § 17-534 to add stricter, more specific requirements for what buyer (and seller) brokerage agreements must contain — particularly around compensation transparency. This is a genuine state-level codification, confirmed via the Maryland General Assembly's official bill tracking site (mgaleg.maryland.gov, Chapter 359), the codified statute text (Justia/FindLaw § 17-534), Maryland REALTORS association guidance, and independent law firm analysis. It sits alongside (and predates in its origin) the August 17, 2024 national NAR settlement practice changes, but Maryland's statute is a distinct, independently enforceable state law with its own requirements beyond the MLS rule.
Maryland Senate Bill 542 (2024) — "Real Estate Brokers – Brokerage Agreements – Requirements," codified as Chapter 359 of the 2024 Laws of Maryland, amending Md. Code, Business Occupations & Professions § 17-534 (building on Maryland's pre-existing 2016 written buyer-agency requirement) — effective October 1, 2024 (SB 542 signed by Governor Wes Moore on April 25, 2024; Maryland REALTORS updated statewide standard forms effective August 14, 2024 in preparation). Note: Maryland's underlying requirement that buyer brokerage services be governed by a written brokerage agreement has existed since 2016, predating both SB 542 and the national NAR settlement.
Facts on this page reflect research current as of 2026-07-05. Programs, rates, and laws change — confirm current figures with the relevant state agency before relying on them.