On December 13, 2025, the Maryland state legislature passed a series of bills aimed at strengthening product liability laws in the state. The new laws come in response to several high-profile cases of defective products causing harm to consumers in the past year.One of the key provisions of the new legislation is an extension of the statute of limitations for filing product liability claims. Previously, consumers had only three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but under the new laws, they will now have up to five years to take legal action against manufacturers and sellers of defective products.In addition to extending the statute of limitations, the new laws also impose stricter penalties on companies found liable for selling unsafe products. Manufacturers who knowingly distribute defective products that cause harm to consumers will now face stiffer fines and potentially even criminal charges.Furthermore, the legislation includes provisions for increased consumer education and awareness programs to help people better understand their rights when it comes to product liability. This includes information on how to identify potentially dangerous products and what steps to take if they are injured as a result of using a defective product.The passage of these new laws has been met with mixed reactions from businesses and consumer advocacy groups. Some industry representatives argue that the stricter regulations will stifle innovation and drive up costs for consumers, while advocates believe that the laws are necessary to protect the public from dangerous products.Overall, the Maryland legislature believes that the new product liability laws will help ensure the safety of consumers and hold companies accountable for the products they sell. The laws are set to go into effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to all products sold in the state from that date onward.