Opinion ID: 2057185
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sovereign immunity and the mtca

Text: The doctrine of sovereign immunity bars individuals from bringing actions against the State, thus protecting it from interference with governmental functions and preserving its control over its agencies and funds. Condon, 332 Md. at 492, 632 A.2d at 758. The doctrine is applicable to the State's agencies and instrumentalities, unless the legislature has explicitly or by implication waived governmental immunity. Id. When a governmental agency or actor is cloaked with and invokes the doctrine of sovereign immunity, no contract or tort suit can be maintained thereafter against it unless the General Assembly has specifically waived the doctrine. Magnetti, 402 Md. at 557, 937 A.2d at 224. We have held that immunity from suit is `one of the highest attributes of sovereignty,' and that any waiver of that immunity must come from the Legislature. State v. Sharafeldin, 382 Md. 129, 140, 854 A.2d 1208, 1214 (2004). This Court read[s] and `construe[s] legislative dilution of governmental immunity narrowly in order to avoid weakening the doctrine of sovereign immunity by judicial fiat.' Magnetti, 402 Md. at 565, 937 A.2d at 229. With enactment of the MTCA, the General Assembly generally waived the State's immunity from liability in tort in a number of specified court actions, to the extent and in the amount that the State is covered by a program of insurance established by the State Treasurer.... Harris, 327 Md. at 34, 607 A.2d at 553. This waiver is limited, however, in that it applies only to certain categories of tort actions, does not cover certain kinds and levels of damages, and is subject to certain conditions. Gardner v. State, 77 Md. App. 237, 239, 549 A.2d 1171, 1172 (1988); Simpson v. Moore, 323 Md. 215, 230-31, 592 A.2d 1090, 1097 (1991) (noting that under the MTCA, the State waived its immunity, but imposed certain procedural requirements for the successful maintenance of a claim or action against it). Section 12-106(b) of the SG Article, entitled Restrictions on actions, provides those conditions which must be satisfied before the State's immunity from suit is waived: (b) Claim and denial required.  A claimant may not institute an action under this subtitle unless: (1) the claimant submits a written claim to the Treasurer or a designee of the Treasurer within 1 year after the injury to person or property that is the basis of the claim; (2) the Treasurer or designee denies the claim finally; and (3) the action is filed within 3 years after the cause of action arises. MD.CODE ANN. (1984, 2004 Repl.Vol.), SG ARTICLE § 12-106(b). In order to sue the State in tort, a plaintiff must demonstrate compliance with those conditions; if those conditions have not been fulfilled, the State retains its sovereign immunity.