Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB465: Civil Actions - Immunity - Disclosure of Allegations of Sexually Assaultive Behavior (Stop Silencing Survivors Act)
Status: In committee, January 29, 2026
Establishing an immunity from liability for a person who discloses information about allegations of sexually assaultive behavior if the person acts in good faith; establishing a presumption of good faith unless it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the person acted with actual malice or intentionally or recklessly disclosed false information; providing for the award of attorney's fees and costs in certain circumstances; etc.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Immunity - Disclosure of Allegations of Sexually Assaultive Behavior (Stop Silencing Survivors Act) FOR the purpose of establishing that a person who in good faith discloses information about allegations of sexually assaultive behavior may not be held liable for the disclosure; requiring a court to award attorney's fees and costs in certain circumstances; and generally relating to immunity from liability for disclosure of allegations of sexually assaultive behavior…
From the introduced text, January 23, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Immunity - Disclosure of Allegations of Sexually Assaultive Behavior (Stop Silencing Survivors Act) FOR the purpose of establishing that a person who in good faith discloses information about allegations of sexually assaultive behavior may not be held liable for the disclosure; requiring a court to award attorney's fees and costs in certain circumstances; and generally relating to immunity from liability for disclosure of allegations of sexually assaultive behavior. BY adding to Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-809 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 10-923(a) 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 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb0465* HOUSE BILL 5-809. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "SEXUALLY ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 10-923 OF THIS ARTICLE. (B) A PERSON ACTING IN GOOD FAITH MAY NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR DISCLOSING ANY INFORMATION ABOUT ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR TO ANOTHER PERSON. (C) A PERSON WHO DISCLOSES INFORMATION UNDER SUBSECTION …