EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb1003*
SENATE BILL 1003
L2 2lr3297
SB 305/21 – EHE CF HB 1475
By: Senator Eckardt
Introduced and read first time: February 25, 2022
Assigned to: Rules
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice – Publication in Newspaper or Newspaper 2
in General Circulation – Online Newspapers 3
FOR the purpose of altering the meaning of “newspaper” or “newspaper in general 4
circulation” when referring to the publication of a certain legal advertisement or 5
legal notice to include certain publications that are offered in a print format or 6
through a dedicated website under certain circumstances; and generally relating to 7
the publication of legal advertisements and legal notices. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – General Provisions 10
Section 1–113 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 13
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 14
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 15
Article – General Provisions 16
1–113. 17
(a) Unless otherwise provided, in a law, resolution, or court order, judgment, or 18
decree that refers to publishing a legal advertisement or legal notice, words such as 19
“newspaper” or “newspaper in general circulation” mean a publication THAT IS OFFERED 20
EITHER IN A PRINT FO RMAT OR THROUGH A DE DICATED WEBSITE that: 21
(1) [has at least four pages; 22
2 SENATE BILL 1003
(2)] habitually contains news items, reports of current events, editorial 1
comments, advertising matter, and other miscellaneous information that is of public 2
interest and is found generally in an ordinary newspaper; 3
[(3)] (2) has been published and distributed THROUGH PRINT OR ON A 4
DEDICATED WEBSITE , by sale, from an established place of business at least once a week 5
for 6 months or more before publication of the advertisement or notice; 6
[(4)] (3) has general circulation throughout the community where the 7
publication is published; and 8
[(5)] (4) IF OFFERED IN A PRINT FORMAT : 9
(I) HAS AT LEAST FOUR PA GES; AND 10
(II) qualifies for Periodicals rates for mailing through the 11
United States Postal Service. 12
(b) Subject to subsection (a) of this section and for purposes of the public general 13
laws of the State, in Prince George’s County, “newspaper in general circulation” includes a 14
newspaper that: 15
(1) is designated by the County Council as a newspaper of record; or 16
(2) (i) qualifies under subsection (a) of this section with respect to 17
Prince George’s County; and 18
(ii) is published by a small business as defined in § 14–201 of the 19
State Finance and Procurement Article. 20
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21
October 1, 2022. 22