1997 Regular Session

HOUSE BILL 134

File Code: Civil Actions and Procedures Prior Year Introduction As: HB 532/96 - JUD
Sponsored By:
Delegates Rosenberg, Harkins, Fry, Jacobs, McIntosh, Perry, Preis, Bonsack, Bobo, Pitkin, and Dembrow
Entitled:
Qualified Immunity from Civil Liability - SLAPP Suits

Synopsis:

Granting qualified immunity from civil liability to a defendant in a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP suit) who, when communicating with a government body or the public at large, in good faith, exercises rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or certain articles of the Maryland Declaration of Rights regarding certain matters; allowing a defendant in a SLAPP suit to file a counterclaim; allowing a defendant to move to dismiss the alleged SLAPP suit; etc.

Legislative History

House Action
1/10
First Reading Judiciary
1/22
Hearing 2/4 at 1:00 p.m.
2/10
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
2/11
Favorable with Amendments Report Adopted
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
2/13
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Senate Action
2/14
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
3/25
Hearing 4/1 at 1:00 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg, District 42
Delegate Elizabeth Bobo, District 12B
Delegate Rose Mary Hatem Bonsack, District 34
Delegate Dana Lee Dembrow, District 20
Delegate Donald C. Fry, District 35A
Delegate James M. Harkins, District 35A
Delegate Nancy Jacobs, District 34
Delegate Maggie L. McIntosh, District 42
Delegate Marsha G. Perry, District 33
Delegate Joan B. Pitkin, District 23
Delegate Mary Louise Preis, District 34
Bill indexed under the following Subjects:
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES
CIVIL ACTIONS -see also- SMALL CLAIMS
COURTS -see also- CIRCUIT COURTS; DISTRICT COURTS
HARASSMENT
HEARINGS
LIABILITY -see also- GOOD SAMARITAN
ZONING AND PLANNING
Bill affects the following Statute:
Courts and Judicial Proceedings
( 5-399.8 )

Documents:

Bill Text:
First Reading (PDF), Third Reading (PDF), Enrolled
Fiscal Note: Available (PDF)

Amendments:
House
Number: 511884/1 (PDF) Offered on: FEBRUARY 11, 1997 at: 10:12 Status: Adopted