HOUSE BILL 930

Sponsored By:

Delegates Rosenberg, Bobo, Carter, McIntosh, Oaks, and Zirkin

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, 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.

History by Legislative Date

House Action

2/11

First Reading Judiciary

2/18

Hearing 3/5 at 1:00 p.m.

3/15

Favorable Report by Judiciary

3/16

Favorable Report Adopted

Second Reading Passed

3/19

Third Reading Passed (139-1)

4/5

Returned Passed

5/11

Signed by the Governor Chapter 280

Senate Action

3/22

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

4/7

Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

4/5

Favorable Report Adopted

Second Reading Passed

4/6

Third Reading Passed (39-7)

Sponsored by:

Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg, District 41

Delegate Elizabeth Bobo, District 12B

Delegate Jill P. Carter, District 41

Delegate Maggie McIntosh, District 43

Delegate Nathaniel T. Oaks, District 41

Delegate Bobby A. Zirkin, District 11

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 )

Documents:

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

Fiscal Note: Available (PDF)

Amendments: None offered

Roll Call Votes (Legislative dates are shown):

House

March 19, 2004: Third Reading Passed (139-1)

Senate

April 6, 2004: Third Reading Passed (39-7)