SB 314 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Courts - Immunity From Liability - Donation of Pet Supplies

SB 314 creates legal protection for people who donate pet supplies (like food, toys, or grooming items) to nonprofits or government groups. It shields donors from civil lawsuits if they act in good faith - meaning they don’t cause harm through gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The bill also allows Maryland’s Agriculture Department to inspect donated commercial pet food and set rules for handling it safely. This directly affects pet supply donors, nonprofits receiving donations, and local governments distributing these items. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Courts - Immunity From Liability - Donation of Pet Supplies Third - Courts - Immunity From Liability - Donation of Pet Supplies · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the legal definitions and procedures for donating pet supplies to nonprofits. It clarifies that 'commercial feed' includes items like hay and seeds if they are not mixed with other materials, and it explicitly defines 'pet items' to include surplus goods that are still safe but may look imperfect. The bill also expands the scope of immunity from liability to cover the dispensing of donated items, not just the act of donating them, ensuring donors are protected from lawsuits regardless of the item's condition.
Scope change
The scope of the donation program was broadened to explicitly include the dispensing of items and to cover a wider variety of surplus pet supplies, including unmixed commodities like hay and seeds.
DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'pet item' to include apparently fit supplies that are surplus or imperfect but meet safety standards.

Clarified that 'commercial feed' includes unmixed commodities like hay and seeds when not adulterated.

REQUIREMENT

Added procedures for the Department of Agriculture to establish rules for handling donated commercial feed.

ENFORCEMENT

Extended immunity from liability to cover the dispensing of donated pet items, not just the donation itself.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the bill text to include committee reports and adoption status.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 1, 2026

How they voted

450
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Feb 14, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
12 Yea 1
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 464
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Apr 1, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-8)
house of delegates
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred Environment and Transportation
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Feb 14, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)
senate
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jeff Waldstreicher
Jeff Waldstreicher
DDemocratic
MD
18