# Maryland SB 0250: Estates - Maryland Uniform Simultaneous Death Act Maryland SB 0250, Estates - Maryland Uniform Simultaneous Death Act, is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Bryan W. Simonaire (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-05-12 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 508) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0250-2026RS - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maryland SB 0250 - State: Maryland - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Estates - Maryland Uniform Simultaneous Death Act - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2026-01-16 - Last action: 2026-05-12, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 508 - Sponsor: Bryan W. Simonaire (Republican) - Cosponsors: 1 - Subjects: Estates and Trusts, Civil Actions and Procedures, Beneficiaries, Courts -see also- AppCt; Circuit; District; Orphans'; etc., Death -see also- Homicide; Murder; Wrongful Death, Deeds, Estates and Trusts -see also- Beneficiaries, Evidence, Liability, Notices, Personal Property, Postal Service, Real Property, Retirement -see also- Mandatory Retirement, Time, Vital Records -see also- Death; Divorce; Marriage - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 2 (160 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 5 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Proof rules for death and survival: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, a certified death certificate counts as proof of death, date, time, place, and identity. Official government records also count as proof. A record showing a death at least 120 hours after another proves 120‑hour survival unless there is contrary proof. If someone is missi… - What documents and payors are covered: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, the law clarifies what is covered. “Governing instruments” include wills, trusts, deeds, payable‑on‑death accounts, insurance and annuities, and retirement plans. “Payors” include trustees, insurers, employers, businesses, and government agencies. A “co‑owner with right o… - Default 5-day survival rule for inheritances: mixed, high. Beginning October 1, 2026, a person must be proven to have lived at least 120 hours longer to inherit. If there is not clear and convincing proof, the law treats them as having died first. This rule also applies when a will, trust, or account requires someone to survive an event. The rule does not… - Split rule for joint property owners: mixed, high. Beginning October 1, 2026, when two co‑owners with survivorship rights die and no one is proven to have lived 120 hours longer, the property splits half and half. With more than two co‑owners and no one proven to have survived by 120 hours, it splits into equal shares. This sets how joint homes and… - Disputed payouts: notice and payback rules: mixed, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, payors are not liable for payments made in good faith before they get written dispute notice. To give notice, send registered or certified mail with proof, or serve it like a court summons. After notice, a payor can deposit the money or property with the probate court, an… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Bryan W. Simonaire (Republican), Senate - Cosponsor: Chris West (Republican), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-03 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 119 | 0 | 10 | | 2026-03-20 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 41 | 0 | 2 | ## Actions (12) - 2026-05-12: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 508 - 2026-04-06: Returned Passed (Senate) - 2026-04-03: Third Reading Passed (119-0) (House) - 2026-04-02: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House) - 2026-04-02: Favorable Report by Judiciary (House) - 2026-03-21: Referred Judiciary (House) - 2026-03-20: Third Reading Passed (41-0) (Senate) - 2026-03-19: Second Reading Passed (Senate) - 2026-03-19: Favorable Adopted (Senate) - 2026-03-19: Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings (Senate) - 2026-01-17: Hearing 1/29 at 3:00 p.m. (Senate) - 2026-01-16: First Reading Judicial Proceedings (Senate) ## Bill text - Enacted, 2026-05-12: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_508_sb0250t.pdf) - Third Reading, 2026-03-19: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0250t.pdf) - First Reading, 2026-01-16: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0250f.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_508_sb0250t.pdf) - [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0250t.pdf) - [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0250f.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-SB0250-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).