Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB476: Civil Actions - Noneconomic Damages - Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Status: In committee, March 21, 2026
Repealing certain limitations on noneconomic damages in civil actions for personal injury or wrongful death; and applying the Act prospectively.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Noneconomic Damages - Personal Injury and Wrongful Death FOR the purpose of repealing certain limitations on noneconomic damages in civil actions for personal injury or wrongful death; and generally relating to noneconomic damages. BY repealing Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 11-108 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the introduced text, January 23, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Noneconomic Damages - Personal Injury and Wrongful Death FOR the purpose of repealing certain limitations on noneconomic damages in civil actions for personal injury or wrongful death; and generally relating to noneconomic damages. BY repealing Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 11-108 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 [11-108. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) (i) "Noneconomic damages" means: 1. In an action for personal injury, pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement, loss of consortium, or other nonpecuniary injury; and 2. In an action for wrongful death, mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society, companionship, comfort, protection, care, EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb0476* HOUSE BILL marital care, parental care, filial care, attention, advice, counsel, training, guidance, or education, or other noneconomic damages authorized under Title 3, Subtitle 9 of this article. (ii) "Noneconomic damages" does not include punitive damages. (3) "Primary claimant" means a claimant in an action for the death of a person described under § …
Sponsors
- Natalie Ziegler (D, 9A) · primary sponsor
- Vaughn Stewart (D, 19)
- Regina Boyce (D, HD-043)
- Lorig Charkoudian (D, 20)
- Linda Foley (D, 15)
- Aaron Kaufman (D, HD-018)
- Malcolm Ruff (D, HD-041)
- Jennifer Terrasa (D, 13)
Latest actions
- : Referred to interim study by Judiciary
- : Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Hearing canceled
- : Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Judiciary
Common questions
- What is HB476?
- HB476 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Civil Actions - Noneconomic Damages - Personal Injury and Wrongful Death.
- What does HB476 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Civil Actions - Noneconomic Damages - Personal Injury and Wrongful Death FOR the purpose of repealing certain limitations on noneconomic damages in civil actions for personal injury or wrongful death; and generally relating to noneconomic damages. BY repealing Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 11-108 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
- What is the status of HB476?
- In committee as of March 21, 2026. Latest action: Referred to interim study by Judiciary (March 21, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB476?
- Natalie Ziegler (D, 9A), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB476?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0476?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.