MD HB456

Establishes a statute of limitations for civil actions involving child nonsexual abuse or neglect: victims may file suit until 20 years after turning 18, or 3 years after the defendant is convicted of a related crime, whichever is later

Defines "nonsexual abuse" as physical or mental injury to a child by parents, household/family members, caretakers, supervisors, or persons exercising authority over the child (excludes sexual abuse and accidental injuries)

Defines "neglect" as failure to provide proper care resulting in harm or substantial risk of harm to a child's health, welfare, or mental state (excludes failures due solely to financial hardship or homelessness)

Caps noneconomic damages at $1,500,000 per claimant against a single defendant for claims that would have been time-barred before October 1, 2025; sets government liability limits at $890,000 for local governments, state entities, and county boards of education

Applies both prospectively and retroactively to revive previously time-barred claims, with an effective date of October 1, 2025