Ch. 281                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(1)      DISMISS THE ALLEGED SLAPP SUIT, IN WHICH CASE THE COURT
SHALL HOLD A HEARING ON THE MOTION TO DISMISS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE; OR

(2)      STAY ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS UNTIL THE MATTER ABOUT WHICH
THE DEFENDANT COMMUNICATED TO THE GOVERNMENT BODY OR THE PUBLIC AT
LARGE IS RESOLVED.

(E) THIS SECTION:

(1)      IS APPLICABLE TO SLAPP SUITS NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
LAW OR RULE; AND

(2)      DOES NOT DIMINISH ANY EQUITABLE OR LEGAL RIGHT OR REMEDY
OTHERWISE AVAILABLE TO A DEFENDANT IN A SLAPP SUIT.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall be
construed to apply only prospectively and may not be applied or interpreted to have
any effect on or application to any cause of action arising before the effective date of
this Act.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect October 1, 2004.

Approved May 11, 2004.

CHAPTER 281
(Senate Bill 477)

AN ACT concerning

Family Law - Adoption Subsidies - Medically Fragile Child
Medically Fragile Children - Study

FOR the purpose of altering the calculation of an adoption subsidy for a medically
fragile child; requiring the subsidy to be reviewed and adjusted annually and
continued after a certain age until services are no longer required; requiring the
Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities, with the assistance of the
Department of Human Resources and the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, to study the placement of medically fragile children in Maryland;
specifying the contents of the study; requiring a certain report by a certain date;
and generally relating to adoption subsidies for the placement of medically
fragile children.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article—Family Law
Section 5-410

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1999 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

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