reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 10 - Prisoner Litigation Act › Section 5-1005 - Frivolous Actions

(a)    A court may include in its final order or judgment in any civil action a finding that the action was frivolous.
(b)    A finding under subsection (a) of this section shall be reflected in the docket entries of the case.
(c)    (1)    A prisoner who has filed three or more civil actions that have been declared to be frivolous by a court of this State or a federal court for a case originating in this State may not file any further civil actions without leave of court.
(2)    If a prisoner has filed three or more civil actions that have been declared to be frivolous by a court of this State or a federal court for a case originating in this State, a court may place the prisoner’s remaining and future civil actions on an inactive case list and permit the prisoner to pursue only one civil action at a time, regardless of jurisdiction.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 10 - Prisoner Litigation Act › Section 5-1006 - Compensatory or Punitive Damages

(a)    (1)    Any compensatory or punitive damages awarded to a prisoner in connection with a civil action shall be paid directly to satisfy any outstanding judgment of restitution or child support order pending against the prisoner.
(2)    If there are multiple judgments of restitution or child support orders pending against the prisoner, any compensatory damages shall be distributed against those judgments or orders on a pro rata basis.
(3)    (i)    The State, the Department, and the Division of Correction may not be liable for any failure to credit an award as provided in this section.
(ii)    The State, the Department, the Division of Correction, and any county or municipality, through any authorized employee or official, may reclaim any money erroneously credited to a prisoner without judicial action in order to comply with this section.
(b)    If a prisoner is awarded compensatory or punitive damages for a civil action, the prisoner’s custodian shall notify, in writing, the victim or victims of the crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated and the recipient or recipients of any child support obligation for which the prisoner is responsible.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 10 - Prisoner Litigation Act › Section 5-1007 - Hearing Not Necessary

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in a civil action filed by a prisoner that is an appeal on the record, the court is not required to hold a hearing if it determines that a hearing is not necessary for the disposition of the matter.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1101.1 - Findings and Declaration of General Assembly

The General Assembly finds and declares that it is necessary to regulate transfers of structured settlement payment rights to:
(1)    Ensure that the transfers are effectuated on fair and reasonable terms and are in the best interests of payees; and
(2)    Protect payees against deceptive practices.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1102 - Transfer of Certain Structured Settlement Payment Rights

(a)    A direct or indirect transfer of structured settlement payment rights to a transferee is effective as provided in this subtitle.
(b)    A structured settlement obligor or annuity issuer may not make any payment directly or indirectly to a transferee of structured settlement payment rights unless the transfer is authorized in an order of a court based on express findings that:
(1)    The transfer is necessary, reasonable, and appropriate and in the best interest of the payee, taking into account the welfare and support of the payee’s dependents;
(2)    The financial terms of the transfer agreement are fair to all parties, taking into account:
(i)    The difference between the amount payable to the payee and the discounted present value of the payments to be transferred; and
(ii)    The discount rate applicable to the transfer;
(3)    The payee received independent professional advice concerning the proposed transfer; and
(4)    At least 10 days before the date on which the payee signed the transfer agreement, the transferee provided to the payee a separate disclosure statement, in at least 14 point boldface type, that states:
(i)    The amounts and due dates of the structured settlement payments to be transferred;
(ii)    The aggregate amount of the payments to be transferred;
(iii)    The discounted present value of the payments to be transferred;
(iv)    The amount payable to the payee in exchange for the payments to be transferred;
(v)    An itemized listing of all brokers’ commissions, service charges, application fees, processing fees, closing costs, filing fees, administrative fees, notary fees, and other charges payable by the payee or deductible from the gross amount otherwise payable to the payee, except attorney’s fees and related disbursements;
(vi)    The transferee’s best estimate of the amount of any attorney’s fees and disbursements payable by the payee or deductible from the gross amount otherwise payable to the payee;
(vii)    The net amount payable to the payee after deduction of all commissions, fees, costs, expenses, and charges described in items (v) and (vi) of this item;
(viii)    The discount rate applicable to the transfer, which shall be disclosed in the following statement: “Based on the net amount that you will receive from us and the amounts and timing of the structured settlement payments that you are transferring to us, you will, in effect, be paying interest to us at a rate of __ percent per year.”;
(ix)    The amount of any penalty or liquidated damages payable by the payee in the event of any breach of the transfer agreement by the payee; and
(x)    A statement that the payee has the right to cancel the transfer agreement, without penalty or further obligation, at any time before the transfer is authorized by a court under this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1103 - Jurisdiction; Notice and Application for Authorization

(a)    A petition for a transfer of structured settlement payment rights under § 5–1102 of this subtitle shall be filed:
(1)    If the payee resides in this State, in the circuit court for the county in which the payee resides; or
(2)    If the payee does not reside in this State, in the circuit court:
(i)    That approved the structured settlement agreement; or
(ii)    In which the settled claim was pending when the parties entered into the structured settlement agreement, if the structured settlement was not court approved.
(b)    A transferee shall file with the court and serve on the interested parties at least 20 days before the hearing on the petition, a notice of the proposed transfer and a petition for its authorization, including:
(1)    A copy of the transferee’s petition;
(2)    A copy of the transfer agreement; and
(3)    Notification:
(i)    Of the time and place of the hearing; and
(ii)    That each interested party is entitled to support, oppose, or otherwise respond to the transferee’s petition, in person or by counsel, by submitting written comments to the court or by participating in the hearing.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1104 - Structured Settlement Established in Resolution of Tort Claim for Compensation for Cognitive Injuries

(a)    If, in any proposed transfer of structured settlement payment rights, the structured settlement was established in resolution of a tort claim seeking compensation for cognitive injuries, including any claim arising from childhood exposure to lead paint, the transferee shall:
(1)    Notify the court, in the petition filed under this subtitle, that the payee may be cognitively impaired;
(2)    Attach to the petition a copy of any complaint that was pending when the structured settlement was established; and
(3)    Identify any allegations or statements in the complaint that describe the nature, extent, or consequences of the payee’s cognitive injuries.
(b)    (1)    In determining whether to authorize a transfer of structured settlement payment rights involving a structured settlement established in resolution of a tort claim seeking compensation for cognitive injuries, including any claim arising from childhood exposure to lead paint, the court shall consider whether to appoint a guardian ad litem for the payee or to require the payee to be examined by an independent mental health specialist designated by the court.
(2)    The transferee shall be responsible for the payment of any fees of a guardian ad litem or an independent mental health specialist appointed or designated by the court under this subsection, as set forth in a billing statement specifying to the tenth of an hour the amount of work performed and a reasonable hourly fee for the work.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1105 - Liability for Payment Upon Authorization of Transfer

If a transfer of structure settlement payment rights has been authorized under this subtitle, neither the annuity issuer nor the structured settlement obligor shall have any liability to the payee or to any other party for any payment made to the transferee in accordance with the authorization.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1106 - Waiver and Construction

(a)    The provisions of this subtitle may not be waived.
(b)    Nothing contained in this subtitle may be construed to authorize a transfer of structured settlement payment rights in contravention of applicable law or to give effect to a transfer of structured settlement payment rights that is invalid under applicable law.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1107 - Registration as Transferee Required

A person may not file a petition for a transfer of structured settlement payment rights under this subtitle unless the person:
(1)    Is registered with the Attorney General as a structured settlement transferee; or
(2)    Has a pending application for registration, and the Attorney General has not acted on the application within the time specified in this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1108 - Application for Registration as Transferee

(a)    (1)    To apply for registration as a structured settlement transferee, an applicant shall:
(i)    Submit to the Attorney General under oath an application on the form provided by the Attorney General; and
(ii)    Pay a registration fee of $2,000, of which $1,500 shall be refundable in the event that the Attorney General denies the application for registration.
(2)    All fees collected under this subsection shall be used to administer the registration program.
(3)    In the case of an applicant that, at the time of its application, is not registered with the Attorney General as a structured settlement transferee, the Attorney General shall grant or deny an application for registration within 90 days of submission of the complete application and all applicable fees.
(b)    (1)    The Attorney General may require a structured settlement transferee to reapply for registration on an annual basis or less frequently, as the Attorney General determines.
(2)    In the case of a registrant applying for renewal of its registration, the Attorney General shall grant or deny an application for registration within 30 days of submission of the complete application and all applicable fees.
(c)    If the Attorney General determines that additional information from an applicant is needed, the Attorney General may extend unilaterally the deadline for granting or denying the application for registration by an additional 60 days.
(d)    The application for registration as a structured settlement transferee shall require an applicant to provide:
(1)    The applicant’s full name;
(2)    The address of the applicant’s principal office or place of business;
(3)    In the case of an applicant who is an individual, the applicant’s Social Security number;
(4)    In the case of an applicant other than an individual:
(i)    The applicant’s federal employer identification number; and
(ii)    The name and business address of:
1.    Each officer, director, general partner, member, and manager, if a limited liability company, of the applicant;
2.    If the applicant is not subject to reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each person who owns 5% or more of the applicant; and
3.    Each officer, director, member, and principal of the applicant;
(5)    Any trade name through which the applicant intends to do business as a transferee in the State, provided that a transferee may maintain registration of no more than four trade names; and
(6)    Any other information that the Attorney General requires.
(e)    If the Attorney General denies an application for registration, the Attorney General shall specify in writing the reason for the denial.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1109 - Acceptance of Application; Bonding

(a)    On acceptance by the Attorney General of a transferee’s application for registration as a structured settlement transferee, the transferee shall promptly:
(1)    File with the Attorney General an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $100,000 issued by a financial institution;
(2)    Deposit with the Attorney General cash in the amount of $100,000; or
(3)    File with the Attorney General a bond that is:
(i)    In favor of the State;
(ii)    In the penal sum of $100,000; and
(iii)    Executed by an authorized surety insurer.
(b)    A bond shall remain in force until the surety insurer is released from liability by the Attorney General or until the bond is canceled by the surety insurer.
(c)    The total liability of the surety insurer under a bond may not exceed the penal sum of the bond.
(d)    (1)    (i)    The surety insurer may cancel a bond after filing a written notice with the Attorney General at least 30 days before the effective date of the cancellation.
(ii)    A cancellation under this subsection does not affect any liability that accrued before the cancellation.
(2)    After notification of the cancellation of the bond, the transferee shall act promptly to replace the bond.
(3)    If the transferee fails to act promptly to replace the bond, the Attorney General may deny, suspend, or revoke the registration of the transferee until the required bond is filed.
(e)    If, at any time, a structured settlement transferee fails to comply with subsection (a) of this section, the Attorney General may deny, suspend, or revoke the registration of the transferee until the transferee complies with subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 11 - Structured Settlements › Section 5-1111 - Statement of Fees and Charges by Obligor

If, in connection with a transfer of structured settlement payment rights, a structured settlement obligor imposes total fees and charges in excess of $350, the structured settlement obligor shall submit a statement to the payee and the transferee identifying each person who performed work in connection with the transfer, specifying to the tenth of an hour the amount of work the person performed, and specifying a reasonable hourly fee for the person’s work.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 5 - Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities › Subtitle 12 - Consumer Debt Collection Actions › Section 5-1202 - Effect of Expiration of Statute of Limitations

(a)    A creditor or a collector may not initiate a consumer debt collection action after the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the consumer debt collection action.
(b)    (1)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any payment toward, written or oral affirmation of, or any other activity on the debt that occurs after the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the consumer debt collection action does not revive or extend the limitations period.
(2)    This subsection may not be interpreted to affect the statute of limitations applicable to a cause of action arising from a separate written agreement or written payment plan entered into by the debtor and the creditor or collector before the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the consumer debt collection action.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-101 - Definitions; Jurisdiction as to Federal Land

(a)    (1)    For purposes of personal jurisdiction, venue, and service of process, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “County” includes any federal enclave, reservation, or land within the geographical limits of the county.
(3)    “Resident” includes a person residing on a federal enclave, reservation, or land in the State or a county.
(4)    “State” includes any federal enclave, reservation, or land within the geographical limits of the State.
(b)    It is the intention of the General Assembly to extend the personal jurisdiction and venue of courts of the State and the power to serve process of those courts to any person on federal enclaves, reservations, or lands within the State to the fullest extent permitted by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
(c)    The jurisdiction of the United States over land acquired by it shall continue only so long as the United States owns, leases, or occupies the land.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-102 - Persons Domiciled In, Organized Under Laws Of, or Maintaining Principal Place of Business in State

(a)    A court may exercise personal jurisdiction as to any cause of action over a person domiciled in, served with process in, organized under the laws of, or who maintains his principal place of business in the State.
(b)    This section does not limit any other basis of personal jurisdiction of a court of the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-102.1 - Director of Maryland Corporation or Trustee of Maryland Real Estate Investment Trust

(a)    This section applies to an individual who, on or after October 1, 2017:
(1)    Accepts the election or appointment as a director of a Maryland corporation or a trustee of a Maryland real estate investment trust; or
(2)    Serves as a director of a Maryland corporation or a trustee of a Maryland real estate investment trust.
(b)    An individual subject to this section is deemed, by the acceptance or service, to have consented to the appointment of the resident agent of the corporation or real estate investment trust or, if there is no resident agent, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, as an agent on which service of process may be made in any civil action or proceeding brought in the State:
(1)    (i)    By or on behalf of, or against, the corporation or real estate investment trust; and
(ii)    To which the individual is a necessary or proper party; or
(2)    Against the individual for an internal corporate claim as defined in § 1–101 of the Corporations and Associations Article.
(c)    The consent to service of process by an individual under subsection (b) of this section:
(1)    Is effective whether or not the individual is a director or trustee at the time a civil action or proceeding is commenced; and
(2)    Constitutes the consent of the individual that any process served in accordance with subsection (b) of this section has the same legal force and validity as if served on the individual.
(d)    The appointment under subsection (b) of this section of the resident agent of a corporation or a real estate investment trust or the State Department of Assessments and Taxation as an agent for service of process is irrevocable.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-103 - Cause of Action Arising From Conduct in State or Tortious Injury Outside State

(a)    If jurisdiction over a person is based solely upon this section, he may be sued only on a cause of action arising from any act enumerated in this section.
(b)    A court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a person, who directly or by an agent:
(1)    Transacts any business or performs any character of work or service in the State;
(2)    Contracts to supply goods, food, services, or manufactured products in the State;
(3)    Causes tortious injury in the State by an act or omission in the State;
(4)    Causes tortious injury in the State or outside of the State by an act or omission outside the State if he regularly does or solicits business, engages in any other persistent course of conduct in the State or derives substantial revenue from goods, food, services, or manufactured products used or consumed in the State;
(5)    Has an interest in, uses, or possesses real property in the State; or
(6)    Contracts to insure or act as surety for, or on, any person, property, risk, contract, obligation, or agreement located, executed, or to be performed within the State at the time the contract is made, unless the parties otherwise provide in writing.
(c)    (1)    (i)    In this subsection the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(ii)    “Computer information” has the meaning stated in § 22-102 of the Commercial Law Article.
(iii)    “Computer program” has the meaning stated in § 22-102 of the Commercial Law Article.
(2)    The provisions of this section apply to computer information and computer programs in the same manner as they apply to goods and services.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-103.1 - Nonresident Defendant in Civil Action Involving Child Support or Alimony

A court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant in any civil proceeding arising out of the marital relationship or involving a demand for child support, spousal support, or counsel fees if the plaintiff resides in this State at the time suit is filed and the nonresident defendant has been personally served with process in accordance with the Maryland Rules and:
(1)    This State was the matrimonial domicile of the parties immediately before their separation; or
(2)    The obligation to pay child support, spousal support, or counsel fees arose under the laws of this State or under an agreement executed by one of the parties in this State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-103.2 - Nonresident Defendant in Paternity Proceeding

A court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant alleged to be the father in a paternity proceeding if:
(1)    The mother resides in this State at the time the suit is filed;
(2)    The nonresident alleged father personally has been served with process in accordance with the Maryland Rules; and
(3)    The act of conception is alleged to have occurred in this State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-103.3 - Recognition and Enforceability of Foreign Defamation Judgments

(a)    In this section, “defamation” includes invasion of privacy by false facts.
(b)    A court may exercise personal jurisdiction, to the fullest extent permitted by the United States Constitution, over any person who obtains a judgment in a defamation proceeding outside the United States against any person who is a resident of this State or has assets in this State for the purpose of providing declaratory relief with respect to that person’s liability for the judgment or determining whether the judgment may not be recognized under § 10–704 of this article if the Maryland resident or person who has assets in this State may have to take actions in Maryland to comply with the foreign defamation judgment.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 1 - Bases of Personal Jurisdiction › Section 6-104 - Stay or Dismissal of Action Which Should Be Heard in Another Forum; Consolidation of Actions in District Court and Circuit Court

(a)    If a court finds that in the interest of substantial justice an action should be heard in another forum, the court may stay or dismiss the action in whole or in part on any conditions it considers just.
(b)    (1)    When actions involving at least one of the same parties, with the same subject matter, issues, and defenses arising out of the same circumstances, are instituted in the District Court and a circuit court of the State, the party who filed the action in the District Court may file a motion in that court to remove the action to the circuit court for consolidation with the action pending in circuit court.
(2)    If the motion is granted, the court shall forward all pleadings to the circuit court.
(3)    An action removed to the circuit court and consolidated with an action in that court under the provisions of this section shall proceed in the circuit court, without regard to the amount in controversy, as if originally instituted in the circuit court.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 2 - Venue › Section 6-201 - General Rule

(a)    Subject to the provisions of §§ 6–202 and 6–203 of this subtitle and unless otherwise provided by law, a civil action shall be brought in a county where the defendant resides, carries on a regular business, is employed, or habitually engages in a vocation. In addition, a corporation also may be sued where it maintains its principal offices in the State.
(b)    If there is more than one defendant, and there is no single venue applicable to all defendants, under subsection (a) of this section, all may be sued in a county in which any one of them could be sued, or in the county where the cause of action arose.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 2 - Venue › Section 6-202 - Additional Venue Permitted

In addition to the venue provided in § 6-201 or § 6-203, the following actions may be brought in the indicated county:
(1)    Divorce -- Where the plaintiff resides;
(2)    Annulment -- Where the plaintiff resides or where the marriage ceremony was performed;
(3)    Action against a corporation which has no principal place of business in the State -- Where the plaintiff resides;
(4)    Replevin or detinue -- Where the property sought to be recovered is located;
(5)    Action relating to custody, guardianship, maintenance, or support of a child -- Where the father, alleged father, or mother of the child resides, or where the child resides;
(6)    Suit on a bond against a corporate surety -- Where the bond is filed, or where the contract is to be performed;
(7)    Action for possession of real property -- Where a portion of the land upon which the action is based is located;
(8)    Tort action based on negligence -- Where the cause of action arose;
(9)    Attachment on original process -- Where the property is located or where the garnishee resides;
(10)    Nondelivery or injury of goods against master or captain of a vessel -- Where the goods are received on board the vessel or where delivery is to be made under the contract;
(11)    Action for damages against a nonresident individual -- Any county in the State;
(12)    Action against a person who absconds from a county or leaves the State before the statute of limitations has run -- Where the defendant is found;
(13)    In a local action in which the defendant cannot be found in the county where the subject matter of the action is located -- In any county in which the venue is proper under § 6-201.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 2 - Venue › Section 6-203 - Exceptions to General Rule

(a)    The general rule of § 6-201 of this subtitle does not apply to actions enumerated in this section.
(b)    (1)    The venue of the following actions is in the county where all or any portion of the subject matter of the action is located:
(i)    Partition of real estate;
(ii)    Enforcement of a charge or lien on land;
(iii)    Eminent domain;
(iv)    Trespass to land; and
(v)    Waste.
(2)    If the property lies in more than one county, the court where proceedings are first brought has jurisdiction over the entire property.
(c)    The venue of an action to recover damages against a railroad company for injury to livestock is the county where the injury occurred.
(d)    The venue of an action for guardianship under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Family Law Article is in the county where the court has jurisdiction over the child in need of assistance case under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of this article.
(e)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the venue for a proceeding for adoption of an individual who is physically within this State or subject to the jurisdiction of an equity court is in a county where:
(i)    The petitioner is domiciled;
(ii)    The petitioner has resided for at least 90 days next preceding the filing of the petition;
(iii)    A licensed child placement agency having legal or physical custody of the individual is located;
(iv)    The individual is domiciled, if the individual is related to the petitioner by blood or marriage or is an adult; or
(v)    An equity court has continuing jurisdiction over the custody of the individual.
(2)    The venue in an adoption of an individual under Title 5, Subtitle 3, Part III of the Family Law Article is in the court with jurisdiction over the individual under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of this article.
(3)    The venue in an adoption of an individual under Title 5, Subtitle 3, Part IV of the Family Law Article is in the court where the individual’s guardianship case is pending.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-302 - Service on Sunday or Holiday; Exceptions

(a)    The process of a court or administrative office or agency of the State or local government may be served on a Sunday or holiday.
(b)    A writ of distraint, or for eviction or possession may not be served on Sunday.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-303 - Where Service Resisted

(a)    If a person resists service of civil process by threats, violence, or superior force, or by preventing the officer serving the process from entering the premises so that the officer cannot serve the process without force or personal risk, the officer shall leave a copy of the process:
(1)    With a responsible person at the premises; or if that is not possible
(2)    Posted as near the premises as practicable.
(b)    Service under this section is as effective as actual personal service.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-305 - When Witness or Party May Not Be Served

(a)    A nonresident person who is within the State for the purpose of testifying in or prosecuting or defending an action may not be served with process.
(b)    A nonresident person passing through this State to or from another state in response to a summons to testify may not be served with process. This subsection does not apply to process arising from acts done by the person after his entry into this State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-307 - Duty of Department of Assessments and Taxation When Served With Process

When process is served on the Department of Assessments and Taxation in accordance with the Maryland Rules, the Director shall record the date and time of the service, and shall forward a copy of the process and notice of the service to the defendant at his mailing address, if known, or to his principal place of business.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-309 - Service by Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Employees

(a)    Designated employees of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services may serve a criminal summons, warrant, or charging document.
(b)    The authority of an individual designated to serve criminal process under this section shall be limited to the service of process within institutions operated by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
(c)    The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall ensure that an employee designated to serve criminal process has received adequate training.
(d)    This section may not be construed to limit the authority of any employee of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to serve civil process as provided in the Maryland Rules.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-310 - Service by Local Detention Center Employees

(a)    In this section, “administrator” includes the sheriff, director, superintendent, warden, or other officer in charge of a local detention center.
(b)    The administrator may designate employees of the local detention center to serve a criminal summons, warrant, or charging document.
(c)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the authority of an individual designated to serve criminal process under this section shall be limited to the service of process within the local detention center.
(2)    The authority of an individual designated to serve criminal process under this section by the administrator of the local detention center in Harford County shall be limited to the service of process within:
(i)    The local detention center;
(ii)    The Circuit Court for Harford County; or
(iii)    The District Court of Maryland for Harford County.
(d)    The administrator shall ensure that an employee designated to serve criminal process has received adequate training.
(e)    This section may not be construed to limit the authority of any employee of the local detention center to serve civil process as provided in the Maryland Rules.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-311 - Disclosure of Last Known Address Information

(a)    In this section, “person” has the meaning stated in Rule 1–202 of the Maryland Rules.
(b)    (1)    This section applies to an action against a person who had applicable insurance coverage under an insurance policy or self–insurance plan at the time the alleged liability that is the subject of the action was incurred.
(2)    Subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection, this section applies to a person who is a defendant subject to a complaint, counterclaim, cross–claim, or third–party complaint.
(c)    (1)    On written request of a plaintiff to the action, an insurer or a person that has a self–insurance plan shall provide to the plaintiff the defendant’s last known home and business addresses if known.
(2)    An insurer or a person that has a self–insurance plan, and their employees and agents, may not be civilly or criminally liable for the disclosure of information required under this subsection.
(d)    A defendant who is subject to the provisions of this section is deemed to have consented to the disclosure of the information described in this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 3 - Process › Section 6-312 - Service by Delivery to Dwelling House or Usual Place of Abode; Service by Delivery to Agent

(a)    In this section, “person” has the meaning stated in Rule 1-202 of the Maryland Rules.
(b)    This section applies to a person who is a defendant subject to a complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint.
(c)    (1)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a party may effect service by delivering a copy of the summons and the complaint to a defendant personally or by leaving copies of the summons and complaint at the defendant’s dwelling house or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the dwelling house or place of abode or by delivering a copy of the summons and the complaint to an agent authorized by appointment or law to receive service of process.
(2)    Any service under this subsection is as effective as actual personal service.
(3)    The method of service provided in this subsection is in addition to and not exclusive of any other means of service that may be provided by statute or rule for obtaining jurisdiction of a defendant.
(d)    This section does not affect any defense, including noncooperation, available to an insurer or a person who has a self-insurance plan under the terms of the applicable insurance or self-insurance plan.
(e)    A defendant who is subject to the provisions of this section is deemed to have consented to service of process as described in this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-401 - Survival of Actions

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a cause of action at law, whether real, personal, or mixed, survives the death of either party.
(b)    A cause of action for slander abates upon the death of either party unless an appeal has been taken from a judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff.
(c)    A right of action in equity survives the death of either party if the court can grant effective relief in spite of the death.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-402 - Continuance Because of Legislative Duties

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Proceeding” includes:
(i)    An arbitration proceeding;
(ii)    Any part of an action; and
(iii)    Any part of an appellate proceeding.
(3)    “Session” includes an extraordinary session.
(b)    Subject to subsection (d) of this section, if a member or desk officer of the General Assembly is an attorney of record in a proceeding, the proceeding shall be continued from 5 days before the legislative session convenes until at least 10 days after it is adjourned.
(c)    If a member of the Legislative Policy Committee or of any committee or subcommittee thereof or a committee or subcommittee of the State legislature functioning during the legislative interim is an attorney of record in a proceeding, the proceeding shall be continued while the committee or subcommittee is holding a meeting.
(d)    If a brief, a memorandum of law, or another document is required to be filed in a proceeding continued under this section:
(1)    The proceeding shall be continued for a time sufficient to allow it to be prepared and filed; and
(2)    Any time prescribed by the Maryland Rules, by rule or order of court, or by any statute applicable to the filing of the document shall begin to run 10 days after the General Assembly adjourns.
(e)    The attorney may waive the benefit of this section.
(f)    The attorney may exercise any right under this section after filing a motion or letter with the appropriate court or administrative agency without the attorney personally appearing.
(g)    This section applies to a proceeding in a federal, State, or local court or administrative agency.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-403 - Formal Pleadings in District Court

(a)    In a civil action in the District Court, if the amount in controversy is $2,500 or less, there shall be no formal pleadings.
(b)    If the amount in controversy exceeds $2,500 the forms and pleadings are as provided by Title 3, Chapter 300 of the Maryland Rules.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-404 - Venue of Transferred Case

(a)    Except as provided in this section, a case transferred from the District Court to a circuit court for trial shall be deemed to have originated in the circuit court and the parties are entitled to removal as provided by rule or law.
(b)    This section does not apply to an appeal from a final judgment of the District Court.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-405 - Settlement of Suit by Infant

(a)    Any action, including one in the name of the State, brought by a next friend for the benefit of a minor may be settled by the next friend.
(b)    If the next friend is not a parent or person in loco parentis of the child, the settlement is not effective unless approved by the parent or other person responsible for the child.
(c)    If both parents are dead, and there is no person responsible for the care and custody of the child, the settlement is not effective unless approved by the court in which the suit was brought. Approval may be granted only on the written application by the next friend, under oath, stating the facts of the case, and why the settlement is in the best interest of the child.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-406 - Actions by and Against Unincorporated Associations

(a)    An unincorporated association, joint stock company, or other group which has a recognized group name may sue or be sued in the group name on any cause of action affecting the common property, rights, and liabilities of the group.
(b)    An action under this section:
(1)    Has the same force and effect with respect to the common property, rights, and liabilities of the group as if all members of the group were joined; and
(2)    Does not abate because of any change of membership in the group or its dissolution.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-406.1 - Actions by Creditors of Persons Using a Trade Name

(a)    A creditor of a person engaged in a mercantile, trading, or manufacturing business as an agent or doing business or trading under any designation, title, or name other than the person’s own name who fails to file the certificate required under § 1-406 of the Corporations and Associations Article, may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the person or the name, title, or designation under which the business is conducted and service on the person shall be valid.
(b)    All the assets used in or owned by the person’s business are subject to seizure and sale under execution in satisfaction of the judgment.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-407 - Automatic Termination of Appearance of Attorney

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the appearance of an attorney-at-law in any case before a court in the State terminates automatically on the expiration of an appeal period during which no party enters an appeal from a final judgment.
(b)    On the motion of the court that has jurisdiction over a case or on the motion of a party, the court may suspend the termination of appearance under subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-408 - Revisory Power of Court Over Judgment

For a period of 30 days after the entry of a judgment, or thereafter pursuant to motion filed within that period, the court has revisory power and control over the judgment. After the expiration of that period the court has revisory power and control over the judgment only in case of fraud, mistake, irregularity, or failure of an employee of the court or of the clerk’s office to perform a duty required by statute or rule.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Courts and Judicial Proceedings › Title 6 - Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Process and Practice › Subtitle 4 - Practice in General › Section 6-409 - Continuance to Attorney Entering Appearance

In any court proceeding, an attorney entering his appearance on behalf of a client may be granted a continuance if:
(1)    The entry of appearance is made in good faith and not for purposes of delay;
(2)    The case has not been continued previously an unreasonable number of times; and
(3)    At the time his appearance is entered he is the attorney of record in another court proceeding which previously had been scheduled for a time which will cause a conflict with the case in which the appearance is being entered.