SB 167

Courts - Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation

Sponsor: Shelly Hettleman (District 11)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Civil Actions and ProceduresStatus: Hearing 1/15 at 12:00 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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Testimony (0)

MGA witness list

FAV 12FavorableUNF 2Unfavorable

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Nevin, Jeanne	Atlas Restaurant Group	Written (PDF)
FAV	Hettleman, Shelly	MGA- Senator Hettleman	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	Written (PDF)
FAV	Ruth, Laure	Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence	Written (PDF)
FAV	Coale, Tomlobbyist	PWRJ	Oral
FAV	McLaughlin, Jim	Washington Post	Written (PDF)
FAV	OMalley, Catherine	Women's Law Center	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Mishkin, Maxwell	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Senator Hettleman, Senator Hettlemanlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Snyder, Rebeccalobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
UNF	Barber, Claudia	Claudia Barber, Attorney at Law	Written (PDF)
UNF	Bogley, Laura	Maryland Right to Life	Oral + Written (PDF)