MarylandMaryland law shields good-faith handlers of veterans’ unclaimed remains
Maryland law shields good-faith handlers from civil liability when they transfer or receive veterans’ unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains for disposition.
What it does
Good-faith registered reduction operators and veterans service organizations are protected from civil liability when operators transfer, or organizations receive, a veteran’s or eligible dependent’s unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains for disposition.
Argument forGood-faith handlers could feel safer arranging disposition of unclaimed remains because the law limits their civil liability for transfers and receipts.
Argument againstVeterans’ families could have fewer civil claims against handlers when a good-faith transfer or receipt leads to a dispute.
More detail
A registered reduction operator who acts in good faith is not civilly liable for transferring the remains, and a veterans service organization acting in good faith is not civilly liable for receiving them. The remains must be unclaimed and belong to a veteran or an eligible dependent of a veteran. The transfer or receipt must be for disposition under the cited state laws. The law took effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 692Became Law
- Apr 13Returned Passed
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 9Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 9Favorable Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 5Referred Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 4Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 3Second Reading Passed
- Mar 3Favorable AdoptedMinor
- Mar 3Favorable Report by HealthMinor
- Feb 23
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Hearing 2/18 at 1:30 p.m.
- Feb 5Hearing canceled
- Feb 4Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 2First Reading HealthIntroduced
Veterans