Cal. Civ. Code § 8-502
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) (i) “Court record” means an official record of a court proceeding kept by the clerk of the court or other court personnel. (ii) “Court record” includes: 1. An index, a docket entry, a petition, a memorandum, a transcription of proceedings, an electronic recording, an order, and a judgment; and 2. Any electronic information about a proceeding on a website maintained by the Maryland Judiciary. (3) “Shield” means to remove information from public inspection in accordance with this section. (4) “Shielding” means: (i) With respect to a record kept in a courthouse, removing the record to a separate secure area to which persons who do not have a legitimate reason for access are denied access; and (ii) With respect to electronic information about a proceeding on a website maintained by the Maryland Judiciary, completely removing all information concerning the proceeding from the public website, including the names of the parties, case numbers, and any reference to the proceeding or any reference to the removal of the proceeding from the public website. (b) (1) This section applies only to a court record relating to an action for repossession of residential property for a failure to pay rent filed on or after March 5, 2020, but before January 1, 2022. (2) This section does not apply to any record relating to an action for repossession for failure to pay rent that resulted in a money judgment entered in favor of a landlord unless the petitioner provides evidence to the court that the judgment has been satisfied. (c) (1) An individual may petition the court to shield court records relating to any action for repossession for failure to pay rent filed against the individual if the failure to pay rent was due to a loss of income arising out of the COVID–19 pandemic. (2) A petition may not be filed under this section until the appeal period for the action to which a record relates has lapsed. (d) The court shall grant a petition under this section for any record relating to an action for repossession in which there was not a judgment entered in favor of a landlord. (e) (1) For any record relating to an action for repossession in which a judgment was entered in favor of a landlord, the petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition for shielding on the landlord. (2) A landlord may file an objection to a petition no later than 15 days after receipt of service. (3) If the landlord files a timely objection to the petition, the court shall hold a hearing. (4) If the petitioner demonstrates at the hearing that the petitioner’s failure to pay rent that led to the judgment in favor of the landlord was due to a loss of income arising out of the COVID–19 pandemic, the court may grant the shielding of records relating to that judgment. (5) If the landlord does not file a timely objection to the petition, the court: (i) May grant the petition; or (ii) If it denies the petition, shall provide the specific reasons for that denial in the order denying the petition.
Maryland Real Property § 8-502 establishes a process by which individuals who faced eviction proceedings for nonpayment of rent between March 5, 2020, and January 1, 2022, may petition a court to "shield" — that is, remove from public view — the court records associated with those proceedings, provided the nonpayment was caused by a loss of income tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shielding applies automatically to cases where no judgment was entered in the landlord's favor, while cases that resulted in a money judgment require additional steps, including notifying the landlord and potentially attending a hearing. Records related to money judgments that have not been satisfied are excluded from eligibility unless the petitioner proves the judgment has been paid.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-502, landlords who obtained a money judgment in a qualifying repossession case filed between March 5, 2020, and January 1, 2022, have the right to receive formal notice if a former tenant petitions to shield those court records. A compliant landlord who wishes to contest shielding generally files a written objection within 15 days of receiving service of the petition, triggering a court hearing. Landlords should be aware that if no timely objection is filed, the court retains discretion to grant or deny the petition, and that records tied to unsatisfied money judgments are generally protected from shielding unless the petitioner demonstrates the judgment has been paid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-502 gives individuals the right to seek removal of certain eviction-related court records from public view if the underlying failure to pay rent stemmed from COVID-19-related income loss and the case was filed between March 5, 2020, and January 1, 2022. Tenants whose cases did not result in a judgment against them may be entitled to automatic shielding upon petition, while those with a landlord-favorable judgment must demonstrate the COVID-19 connection at a hearing and, if applicable, show the judgment has been satisfied. Tenants exploring this option may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Maryland court procedures before initiating a petition under this section.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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