Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB346: Civil Actions - Violation of Constitutional Rights (No Kings Act)
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Establishing certain civil liability for an individual who, under color of law, deprives another or causes or allows another to be deprived, of a right, a privilege, or an immunity secured by the U.S. Constitution or the laws of the United States; requiring an action under the Act to be filed within 5 years after the cause of action accrued; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Civil Actions - Violation of Constitutional Rights (No Kings Act) FOR the purpose of establishing certain civil liability for an individual who, under color of law, deprives another, or causes or allows another to be deprived, of a right, a privilege, or an immunity secured by the U.S. Constitution or the laws of the United States; and generally relating to civil liability for the deprivation of Constitutional rights. BY adding to Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-2701 and 3-2702 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 27…
From the enrolled text, May 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Violation of Constitutional Rights (No Kings Act) FOR the purpose of establishing certain civil liability for an individual who, under color of law, deprives another, or causes or allows another to be deprived, of a right, a privilege, or an immunity secured by the U.S. Constitution or the laws of the United States; and generally relating to civil liability for the deprivation of Constitutional rights. BY adding to Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 3-2701 and 3-2702 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 27. Action for Deprivation of Constitutional Rights" Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings SUBTITLE 27. ACTION FOR DEPRIVATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. 3-2701. IN THIS SUBTITLE, (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (B) (1) "COVERED OFFICER" MEANS, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, AN OFFICER WHO MAY: (I) MAKE AN ARREST WITH OR WITHOUT A WARRANT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES CODE; AND (II) CARRY FIREARMS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OFFICER'S DUTIES. (2) "COVERED OFFICER" DOES NOT INCLUDE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AS DEFINED IN § 1-101 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY …