SB 581 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Civil Actions - Tortious Injury to or Death of Pet - Compensatory Damages (Buddy's Law)

SB 581 (Buddy's Law) increases the maximum compensatory damages for pet owners when a pet is intentionally or negligently injured or killed. It raises the cap from $10,000 to $25,000, covering veterinary costs and the pet’s fair market value before death. The law directly affects pet owners in Maryland and individuals liable for harming pets (e.g., through negligent pet care or animal control). It takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to domesticated pets, excluding livestock.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Civil Actions - Tortious Injury to or Death of Pet - Compensatory Damages → Third - Civil Actions - Tortious Injury to or Death of Pet - Compensatory Damages (Buddy's Law) · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the legal framework for pet injury and death compensation in Maryland, renaming the legislation to 'Buddy's Law' and adjusting the maximum compensatory damages from $10,000 to $25,000. The changes clarify that pets are defined as domesticated animals while explicitly excluding livestock, and the bill now includes a favorable committee report indicating legislative approval.

Scope change

The bill maintains its scope regarding tortious injury or death of pets but increases the financial protection threshold for pet owners.

REQUIREMENT

Increased maximum compensatory damages for pet injury or death from $10,000 to $25,000

DEFINITION

Added 'Buddy's Law' as a subtitle to the bill

Reorganized definitions to clarify that 'Pet' means a domesticated animal and explicitly excludes livestock

TECHNICAL

Added committee report showing favorable recommendation and Senate adoption with floor amendments

Floor votes · Senate Feb 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2025

How they voted

46–0

Passed

Total votes 46

Feb 23, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 22, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 100

executive

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 18, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-1-2)

house of delegates

Mar 13, 2025

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Feb 23, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0)

senate

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors