# Maryland HB 1345: Maryland Trust Act - In Terrorem Clause - Void

Maryland HB 1345, Maryland Trust Act - In Terrorem Clause - Void, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Jon S. Cardin (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-05-12 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 502) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1345-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland HB 1345
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Maryland Trust Act - In Terrorem Clause - Void
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-12
- Last action: 2026-05-12, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 502
- Sponsor: Jon S. Cardin (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: Estates and Trusts, Beneficiaries, Estates and Trusts -see also- Beneficiaries, Ethics, Penalties and Sentences -see also- Death Penalty
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (178 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 1

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Challenge a trust without penalties: benefit, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, a trust clause that punishes someone for contesting the trust is void when probable cause exists. If you are a beneficiary or other interested person, you can challenge the trust or start other estate‑related proceedings without losing your share when probable cause supports…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Jon S. Cardin (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kym Taylor (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-13 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 46 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026-03-18 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 132 | 0 | 4 |

## Actions (17)

- 2026-05-12: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 502
- 2026-04-13: Returned Passed (House)
- 2026-04-13: Third Reading Passed (46-0) (Senate)
- 2026-04-10: Second Reading Passed (Senate)
- 2026-04-10: Favorable Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-04-10: Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings (Senate)
- 2026-03-24: Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Referred Judicial Proceedings (Senate)
- 2026-03-18: Third Reading Passed (132-0) (House)
- 2026-03-18: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House)
- 2026-03-18: Favorable Report by Judiciary (House)
- 2026-03-11: Hearing 3/11 at 2:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-03-11: Hearing canceled (House)
- 2026-03-11: Hearing 3/11 at 1:30 p.m. (House)
- 2026-03-11: Hearing canceled (House)
- 2026-02-16: Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-02-12: First Reading Judiciary (House)

## Bill text

- Enacted, 2026-05-12: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_502_hb1345t.pdf)
- Third Reading, 2026-03-18: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1345t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-02-12: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1345f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_502_hb1345t.pdf)
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1345t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1345f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
- [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1345-2026RS (as of 2026-10-11).