CHAPTER NUMBER: 279
File Code: Civil Actions and Procedures
Prior Year Introduction As: HB 113/03 - JUD
Crossfiled with: HOUSE BILL 930
- Sponsored By:
-
Senator Green
- Entitled:
-
Qualified Immunity from Civil Liability - SLAPP Suits
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, without
constitutional malice, exercises rights under the First Amendment of
the U.S. Constitution or specified articles of the Maryland
Declaration of Rights regarding specified matters; allowing a
defendant to move to dismiss the alleged SLAPP suit; etc.
Senate Action
- 2/6
- First Reading Judicial Proceedings
- 2/11
- Hearing 3/4 at 1:00 p.m.
- 3/23
- Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
- Favorable Report Adopted
- Second Reading Passed
- 3/24
- Third Reading Passed (38-9)
- 4/7
- Returned Passed
- 5/11
- Signed by the Governor Chapter 279
House Action
- 3/24
- First Reading Judiciary
- 3/26
- Hearing 4/1 at 1:00 p.m.
- 4/7
- Favorable Report by Judiciary
- 4/3
- Favorable Report Adopted
- Second Reading Passed
- 4/4
- Third Reading Passed (139-0)
- Bill indexed under the following Subjects:
- ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES -see also- ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT
- CIVIL ACTIONS -see also- SMALL CLAIMS
- COURTS -see also- CIRCUIT; APPEALS; DISTRICT; ORPHANS'; etc.
- HARASSMENT
- HEARINGS
- LIABILITY -see also- GOOD SAMARITAN
- Bill affects the following Statute:
- Courts and Judicial Proceedings
- (
5-807
)
- Bill Text:
First Reading (PDF),
Third Reading (PDF), Enrolled
- Fiscal Note:
Available (PDF)
- Amendments:
None offered
- Roll Call Votes (Legislative dates are shown):
- Senate
- March 24, 2004: Third Reading Passed (38-9)
- House
- April 4, 2004: Third Reading Passed (139-0)