Maryland cracks down on unlicensed senior homes in Baltimore

Maryland authorities have taken action against unlicensed assisted living operations following a Spotlight on Maryland investigation. They received 17 referrals about suspected unlicensed homes and initiated two enforcement cases in Baltimore.

Attorney General Anthony Brown’s office secured the state's first felony indictment under a strengthened law aimed at protecting vulnerable seniors. This law was advocated by Brown in 2023 to address issues in unlicensed assisted living facilities.

One enforcement case involved a raid on a Baltimore City location in April, where officials obtained an emergency injunction to halt unlicensed operations. The property at 2111 Garrison Blvd, previously operated by a nonprofit, is now vacant and condemned after a fire in late March.

The crackdown follows a year after investigations revealed an underground network of unlicensed assisted living homes with allegations of neglect and exploitation. State regulators had faced criticism for failing to adequately protect elderly and disabled residents.