Provides for the types of damages that may be awarded to the persons for whose benefit an action for wrongful death is brought

This bill updates the laws governing wrongful death lawsuits in Maryland by clarifying who can sue, what damages are recoverable, and how any awarded money is distributed. It expands the list of eligible claimants to include domestic partners and individuals who stood in a parent-like role to the deceased, while also extending the time limit for filing claims related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The legislation specifies that compensation may cover funeral costs, medical expenses, grief, and financial losses such as lost support or inheritance, with the court determining how these funds are split among the eligible survivors based on their specific relationship to the decedent. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for appointing administrators to pursue these claims when existing estate executors refuse to do so and details how legal fees and other costs are handled if the lawsuit is unsuccessful.