Maryland legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Maryland HB1099: Civil Actions - Punitive Damage Awards - Surcharge
Status: Introduced, March 4, 2025
Providing that punitive damages may be awarded in a civil action only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with gross negligence; requiring the State Court Administrator to assess a certain surcharge on a defendant against whom a judgement for punitive damages is entered; requiring the Administrator to deposit money collected from the surcharge into the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund; etc.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Punitive Damage Awards - Surcharge FOR the purpose of providing that punitive damages may be awarded in a civil action only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with gross negligence; requiring the State Court Administrator to assess a certain surcharge on a defendant against whom a judgement for punitive damages is entered; prohibiting a jury from being informed of the surcharge on punitive damages that a defendant is required to pay; requiring the surcharge to be assessed at a certain time…
From the introduced text, February 5, 2025:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Punitive Damage Awards - Surcharge FOR the purpose of providing that punitive damages may be awarded in a civil action only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with gross negligence; requiring the State Court Administrator to assess a certain surcharge on a defendant against whom a judgement for punitive damages is entered; prohibiting a jury from being informed of the surcharge on punitive damages that a defendant is required to pay; requiring the surcharge to be assessed at a certain time; requiring the Administrator to deposit money collected from the surcharge into the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund; and generally relating to punitive damage awards. BY adding to Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 11-113 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Education Section 5-206(a) and (b) Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Education Section 5-206(f) Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1099* HOUSE BILL 1099 …