H.B. 256

VETOES

been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three-fifths of all the members elected to
each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is
enacted.

May 22, 1997

The Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr.
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed House Bill 256.

This bill provides immunity from civil liability to members of the General Assembly of
Maryland or any state legislature while acting in good faith within the scope of their
public duties on behalf of a constituent. The bill does not supersede or constitute a waiver
of a member's constitutional, statutory, or common law privileges or immunities.

Senate Bill 15, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on this date,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House Bill
256.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening

Governor

House Bill No. 256

AN ACT concerning

Legislative Immunity - Constituent Service Activities and Communications

FOR the purpose of providing immunity from civil liability to a member of a state
legislature, including the General Assembly of Maryland, for any act or omission
relating to certain constituent services provided to certain individuals or entities and
certain communications made on behalf of a constituent; providing that the member
is not civilly liable for defamation under certain circumstances; providing a right of
appeal from certain interlocutory orders denying certain immunity under certain
circumstances providing that the member is not subject to deposition or examination
regarding these constituent services; providing for the construction of this Act;
providing for the codification of this Act; providing for the application of this Act;
and generally relating to the immunity of state legislators for the performance of
constituent services.

BY adding to

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 5-399.8 and 5-399.9

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