HB 434

Courts - Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation

Sponsor: Samuel I. Rosenberg (District 41)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Civil Actions and ProceduresStatus: Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Dec 1, 2025)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Altering the conditions under which a lawsuit is considered a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP suit); altering the conditions under which a defendant in a SLAPP suit is not civilly liable for certain communications; establishing certain standards and requirements relating to a motion to dismiss an alleged SLAPP suit; and applying the Act prospectively.

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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 (0)

MGA witness list

FAV 14FavorableUNF 4Unfavorable

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Nelson, Timothylobbyist	Brooks Pierce LLP / Maryland-DC-Delaware Broadcasters Association	Written (PDF)
FAV	Lapham, Steven	CHARM Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Rosenberg, Samuel	House of Delegates	Written (PDF)
FAV	Clark, Tom	IBEW 26	Written (PDF)
FAV	Manno, Rogerlobbyist	Manno & Associates LLC	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jarashow, Ronald	Maryland Association for Justice	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jordan, Lisae Clobbyist	Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)	Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Position only
FAV	Ruth, Laure	Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence	Written (PDF)
FAV	Edwards, Donna	Maryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIO	Written (PDF)
FAV	OMalley, Catherine	Women's Law Center	Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Rosenberg, Delegate Rosenberglegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Riley, Deniselobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Snyder, Rebeccalobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Barber, Claudia	Claudia Barber, Attorney at Law	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Bogley, Laura	Maryland Right to Life	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Brown, Sharon	Individual	Written (PDF)
UNF	Schifanelli, Gordana	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Brooks Pierce LLP / Maryland-DC-Delaware Broadcasters AssociationFAV 1

CHARM MarylandFAV 1

Claudia Barber, Attorney at LawUNF 1

House of DelegatesFAV 1

IBEW 26FAV 1

Manno & Associates LLCFAV 1

Maryland Association for JusticeFAV 1

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)FAV 1

Maryland Legislative CoalitionFAV 1

Maryland Network Against Domestic ViolenceFAV 1

Maryland Right to LifeUNF 1

Maryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIOFAV 1

Women's Law CenterFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVNelson, TimothyBrooks Pierce LLP / Maryland-DC-Delaware Broadcasters AssociationRegistered for: Maryland D.C. Delaware Broadcasters Association

FAVManno, RogerManno & Associates LLCRegistered for: CAUSE; Constellation; Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35; Mechanical Contractors Association of Metro Washington; Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Association; Payactiv…

FAVJordan, Lisae CMaryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)Registered for: Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault

FAVRiley, DeniseRegistered for: American Federation of Teachers - Maryland

FAVSnyder, RebeccaRegistered for: MD/DC Press Association