PRIA Logo™
Take the PRIA Score
MarylandHB 01032026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Consumer Protection - Consumer Contracts - Prohibited Waivers

Sponsored By: Vaughn Stewart (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Commercial Law - Consumer ProtectionConsumer ProtectionContracts -see also- ProcurementDamagesEthicsPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyStorageTimeUnfair Trade Practices

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

No waivers of consumer legal rights

In consumer contracts, companies cannot make you give up rights the law gives you. Contracts cannot waive statutory or punitive damages, or block declaratory or injunctive relief. They also cannot shorten the time you have to sue under Maryland law. Courts do not enforce illegal terms and enforce the rest of the deal when possible. Breaking these rules is an unfair or deceptive trade practice, and you can seek damages, a court order, or a declaration. Beginning on the later of October 1, 2026, or when Chapter 194 of the 2025 Acts takes effect, these rules apply to contracts signed after that date.

Contracts can cap damages at insurance

A consumer contract can limit statutory or punitive damages to the policy’s insurance limit. This can lower what you recover if the insurance cap is below the damages allowed by law. This applies to contracts signed on or after the later of October 1, 2026, or when Chapter 194 of the 2025 Acts takes effect.

Arbitration kept; settlement waivers limited

These protections apply whether a contract has arbitration or not. The law does not cancel arbitration clauses that are valid under federal law. You cannot agree to give up these protections in advance, but you may waive rights as part of settling a dispute unless federal law forbids it. This applies to contracts signed on or after the later of October 1, 2026, or when Chapter 194 of the 2025 Acts takes effect.

Rules apply only to new contracts

The law applies only to contracts made on or after its start date. The start date is the later of October 1, 2026, or when Chapter 194 of the 2025 Acts takes effect. Older contracts are not changed.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vaughn Stewart

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 79

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 35 • No: 11 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 84 • No: 32 • Other: 26

House vote • 3/20/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 95 • No: 36 • Other: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 308

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (84-32)

    4/13/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (35-11)

    4/13/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {243625/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/23/2026Senate

  10. Referred Finance

    3/23/2026Senate

  11. Third Reading Passed (95-36)

    3/20/2026House

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/19/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments {343720/1 Adopted

    3/19/2026House

  14. Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

    3/19/2026House

  15. Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/19/2026House

  16. First Reading Economic Matters

    1/14/2026House

  17. Pre-filed

    9/17/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/19/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in