HOUSE BILL 113

Sponsored By:

Delegates Rosenberg, McIntosh, Bobo, Carter, Kelly, 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, in good faith, exercises rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or certain 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

1/23

First Reading Judiciary

1/29

Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.

2/17

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

2/19

Favorable with Amendments Report Adopted

Second Reading Passed with Amendments

2/21

Third Reading Passed (136-0)

Senate Action

2/24

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

3/19

Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.

4/3

Unfavorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

Sponsored by:

Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg, District 41

Delegate Elizabeth Bobo, District 12B

Delegate Jill P. Carter, District 41

Delegate Kevin Kelly, District 1B

Delegate Maggie McIntosh, District 43

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:

House

Number: 212013/01 (PDF)     Offered on: February 19, 2003   at: 10:54 a.m.     Status: Adopted

Roll Call Vote (Legislative date is shown):

House

February 21, 2003: Third Reading Passed (136-0)