HOUSE BILL 12

Sponsored By:

Delegates Rosenberg, Harkins, 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.

History by Legislative Date

House Action

7/14

Pre-filed

1/14

First Reading Judiciary

1/8

Hearing 1/22 at 10:30 a.m.

2/9

Favorable Report by Judiciary

2/10

Favorable Report Adopted

Second Reading Passed

2/13

Third Reading Passed (129-4)

Senate Action

2/16

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

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 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

Bill affects the following Statute:

Courts and Judicial Proceedings

( 5-806 )

Documents:

Bill Text: First Reading (PDF), Third Reading (PDF), Enrolled

Fiscal Note: Available (PDF)

Amendments: None offered

Roll Call Vote (Legislative date is shown):

House

February 13, 1998: Third Reading Passed (129-4)