Bill > HB591

This bill extends the statute of limitations for local consumer protection code enforcement from 1 year to 3 years. Specifically, the bill amends the Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code to allow local authorities up to 3 years to initiate a prosecution or lawsuit for enforcement of a local consumer protection code when equitable relief, a fine, or a penalty is involved. The new time limit begins from the point when local authorities knew or reasonably should have known about the violation. This change gives local governments more time to investigate and take legal action against potential consumer protection violations, potentially providing greater consumer safeguards by allowing more opportunity to discover and address problematic business practices. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving local jurisdictions and businesses time to prepare for the new longer statute of limitations.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0591?ys=2025RS