Defense of Dwelling or Place of Business Passes the House Chamber on Third Reader

From the office of Del. J.B. Jennings:

Delegate Jennings is pleased to announce that Senate Bill 411 entitled Defense of Dwelling or Place of Business-Civil Immunity (also known as the “Castle Doctrine”) passed the House Chamber, with amendments, at Third Reader on Thursday, April 8, 2010, by a unanimous vote (140-0).

If signed into law by the Governor, would a protect an individual from liability for damages for a personal injury or the death of an individual who enters the person’s dwelling or place of business if: (1) the person reasonably believes that force or deadly force is necessary to repeal an attack by the individual; and (2) the amount and nature of the force used by the person is reasonable under the circumstances.

Delegates Jennings, a staunch proponent of this legislation, also co-sponsored a similar bill House Bill 207 entitled Victims of Crime-Burglary and Crimes of Violence-Civil Immunity.

Delegate Jennings stated, “I am pleased that Senate Bill 411 has passed the House Chamber. This is an historic piece of legislation that will provide Maryland households the judicial protection against liability when protecting their own lives and the safety of their families if a person unlawfully enters their household.”

The Senate Chamber passed Senate Bill 411 on Saturday, March 27, 2010, by a majority vote (45-2).