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.

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 (RTF / PDF), Third Reading, Enrolled

Fiscal Note: Available (RTF / PDF)

Amendments: None offered