HB 1375

Civil Actions - Tortious Injury to or Death of Pet - Damages (Buddy's Law)

Sponsor: Nicholaus R. Kipke (District 31)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Civil Actions and ProceduresStatus: Unfavorable Report by Judiciary; Withdrawn (as of Nov 15, 2022)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Establishing that a person who tortiously causes an injury to or death of a pet may be liable to the owner of the pet for noneconomic damages; and establishing an exception to the cap on compensatory and noneconomic damages for a tortfeasor who acted with gross negligence, intent, or malice or in violation of the Maryland Declaration of Rights.

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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (20)

MGA witness list

FAV 5FavorableUNF 15Unfavorable

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Hansel, Cary	Hansel Law, PC	Oral
FAV	Guerra, Fernando	Maryland State Bar Association Animal Law Section	Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Kipke, Delegate Kipkelegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Fink, Nelda	Individual	Position only
FAV	Sanders, Larry	Individual	Oral
UNF	Hall, Charleslobbyist	American Kennel Club	Written (PDF)
UNF	McClure, Kent	American Veterinary Medical Association	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Young, Scott	Animal Policy Group	Written (PDF)
UNF	Popham, Brysonlobbyist	Bryson F. Popham, P.A.	Written (PDF)
UNF	O'Brien, Kelly	Mars Veterinary Health	Written (PDF)
UNF	Weintraub, Jasonlobbyist	Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA)	Oral
UNF	Brooks, Dr. John	Maryland Veterinary Medical Association	Oral
UNF	Francis, Marisa	Maryland Veterinary Medical Association	Written (PDF)
UNF	Krueger, Dr. Jennifer	Maryland Veterinary Medical Association	Oral
UNF	Silcox, Dr. Robert	Maryland Veterinary Medical Association	Oral
UNF	Enten, Robert	Md Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Assoc	Oral
UNF	Fisher, James	Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council	Written (PDF)
UNF	Goldberg, Philip	Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLP	Oral
UNF	Egan, Nancylobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Siller, Ginny	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

American Kennel ClubUNF 1

American Veterinary Medical AssociationUNF 1

Animal Policy GroupUNF 1

Bryson F. Popham, P.A.UNF 1

Hansel Law, PCFAV 1

Mars Veterinary HealthUNF 1

Maryland State Bar Association Animal Law SectionFAV 1

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA)UNF 1

Maryland Veterinary Medical AssociationUNF 4

Md Thoroughbred Horsemen’s AssocUNF 1

Pet Industry Joint Advisory CouncilUNF 1

Shook Hardy & Bacon, LLPUNF 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

UNFHall, CharlesAmerican Kennel ClubRegistered for: American Kennel Club

UNFPopham, BrysonBryson F. Popham, P.A.Registered for: Agency Insurance Company of Maryland; Agency Services, Inc.; Army Alliance; Bryson F. Popham P.A.; Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Baltimore (BOMA); CVS Health…

UNFWeintraub, JasonMaryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA)Registered for: AFSCME Council 3; Albertsons Companies, Inc.; American Property Casualty Insurance Association; COPT Defense Properties; CVS Health; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield…

UNFEgan, NancyRegistered for: American Property Casualty Insurance Association