2025 Regular SessionMaryland Legislature

HB438: Civil Actions - Tortious Injury to or Death of Pet - Compensatory Damages (Buddy's Law)

Legislative Summary

Increasing from $10,000 to $25,000 the maximum amount of compensatory damages that may be awarded to an owner of a pet from a person who tortiously causes an injury to or death of the pet while acting individually or through an animal under the person's ownership, direction, or control.

Demographic Impact

Overall analysis of equity impact

80% Positive
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Bill History

1/16/2025
First Reading Judiciary
House of Delegates
1/17/2025
Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m.
House of Delegates
2/3/2025
Hearing canceled
House of Delegates
2/3/2025
Hearing 2/05 at 2:00 p.m.
House of Delegates
3/10/2025
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
House of Delegates
3/11/2025
Favorable with Amendments {603924/1 Adopted
House of Delegates
3/11/2025
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
House of Delegates
3/11/2025
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
House of Delegates
3/12/2025
Referred Judicial Proceedings
Senate
3/27/2025
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
Senate
3/27/2025
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
Senate
4/2/2025
Third Reading Passed (47-0)
Senate
4/2/2025
Returned Passed
House of Delegates
4/22/2025
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 101
House of Delegates

Amendments

Favorable with Amendments 603924/1 Adopted

Favorable with Amendments 603924/1 Adopted

3/11/2025Adopted

Roll Call Votes

Third Reading Passed
3/11/2025
139
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
2
Absent
Result: PASSED

Status Information

Current Status
Passed(4/22/2025)
Chamber
House of Delegates

Documents

Chaptered
Bill Text4/24/202573.0 KB
Engrossed
Bill Text3/11/202585.6 KB
Introduced
Bill Text1/16/202582.2 KB
Vote Image
Vote Image1/1/197059.5 KB
Vote Image
Vote Image1/1/197056.3 KB