SENATE BILL 464

Sponsored By:

Senator Green

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

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 )

Documents:

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)