MD HB332

Creates a new civil cause of action allowing individuals to sue anyone who, acting under color of law, deprives them of rights secured by the U.S. Constitution

Permits aggrieved parties to seek monetary damages as well as declaratory and injunctive relief, with injunctive relief against judicial officers limited to cases where a declaratory judgment is violated or unavailable

Preserves existing immunity defenses, allowing defendants to assert absolute or qualified immunity to the same extent as under federal 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims, and does not waive sovereign immunity

Authorizes courts to award reasonable attorney's fees and expert witness fees to prevailing plaintiffs, except fees may not be awarded against judicial officers unless they acted clearly in excess of their jurisdiction

Establishes a 3-year statute of limitations and takes effect October 1, 2026, applying to civil actions pending on that date