Yesterday, the Senate JPR committee had a hearing on Senate Bill 549, which would discourage sex offenders from using the courts to silence survivors.
Abusers can sue their victims for sharing their experiences, forcing survivors to prove their statements are true in court, or to pay damages. Civil lawsuits are increasingly being used as a weapon to threaten, silence, intimidate, and dissuade survivors of sexual assault from speaking out against their abusers and exposing predators.
SB549 would change this by helping to balance access to justice with preserving the right to sue for intentionally sharing false information or making malicious accusations of assault.
This bill raises the bar for lawsuits against people who have disclosed sexual assault. It does not prevent these suits, it instead requires that the plaintiff prove that the person stating sexual assault occurred “acted with actual malice” or “intentionally or recklessly disclosed false information”. The bill also provides for attorney's fees and costs for successful defendants in most cases.
SB549 would simply provide sexual assault survivors with the same protections that are currently given to employers providing employment references.
Please ask the Judicial Proceedings Committee to support SB549 to stop silencing survivors!
MARYLAND SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE
Leadership:
Will Smith, Jr., Chair (District 20, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3634 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3634
[email protected]
Jeff Waldstreicher, Vice Chair (District 18, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3137 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3137
[email protected]
Members:
Anne Arundel County
Shaneka Henson (District 30, Anne Arundel)
Phone: 410-841-3578 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3578
[email protected]
Baltimore County
Charles Sydnor, III (District 44, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3612 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3612
[email protected]
Baltimore & Carroll Counties
Chris West (District 42, Baltimore & Carroll)
Phone: 410-841-3648 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3648
[email protected]
Frederick County
William Folden (District 4, Frederick)
Phone: 410-841-3704 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3704
[email protected]
Garrett, Allegany, & Washington Counties
Mike McKay (District 1, Garrett, Allegany, & Washington)
Phone: 410-841-3565 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3565
[email protected]
Harford County
Mary-Dulaney James (District 34, Harford)
Phone: 410-841-3158 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3158
[email protected]
Montgomery County
Sara Love (District 16, Montgomery)
Phone: 410-841-3124 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3124
[email protected]
Prince George's County
Nick Charles (District 25, Prince George's)
Phone: 410-841-3127 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3127
[email protected]
Anthony Muse (District 26, Prince George's)
Phone: 410-841-3092 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3092
[email protected]
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