Title 12. Statutory Trusts — Subtitle 4. Trustees; Powers; Liabilities
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 12-401 (2026)
Title 12. Statutory Trusts
Subtitle 4. Trustees; Powers; Liabilities
§ 12–401LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in its governing instrument, the business and affairs of a statutory trust shall be managed under the direction of its trustees.
(b)
Except as provided in the governing instrument of a statutory trust, neither the power to give direction to a trustee or other person nor the exercise by any person, including a beneficial owner, of a direction shall cause that person to have duties, including fiduciary duties, or liabilities relating to the statutory trust or to a beneficial owner.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 12-402 (2026)
Title 12. Statutory Trusts
Subtitle 4. Trustees; Powers; Liabilities
§ 12–402LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Subject to the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section, and except as provided in the governing instrument of a statutory trust, a trustee, when acting in such capacity, is not personally liable to any person other than the statutory trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission, or obligation of the statutory trust or any trustee.
(b)
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a trustee shall perform the trustee’s duties as a trustee, including the duties as a member of a committee of the trustees on which the trustee serves:
(1)
In good faith;
(2)
In a manner that the trustee reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the statutory trust; and
(3)
With the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
(c)
The governing instrument of a statutory trust may include a provision expanding or limiting the duties of a trustee set forth in subsection (b) of this section, provided that the governing instrument may not eliminate the duty to act in good faith.
(d)
(1)
A trustee who performs the duties of a trustee in accordance with the standard provided under subsection (b) of this section, as may be expanded or limited in the governing instrument in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, has no liability by reason of being or having been a trustee of the statutory trust.
(2)
A trustee shall have no duties other than as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, as expanded or limited in the governing instrument in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
(3)
The governing instrument of a statutory trust may include a provision expanding or limiting the liability of its trustees and officers to the statutory trust or its beneficial owners, provided that the governing instrument may not limit the liability of its trustees and officers to any extent greater than that permitted by Title 2, Subtitle 4 of this article in connection with the limitation of liability of directors and officers of a Maryland corporation.
(e)
No creditor of a trustee shall have any right to obtain possession of, or otherwise exercise any legal or equitable remedy with respect to, any property of the statutory trust with respect to any claim against, or obligation of, the trustee in the trustee’s individual capacity.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 12-403 (2026)
Title 12. Statutory Trusts
Subtitle 4. Trustees; Powers; Liabilities
§ 12–403LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in its governing instrument, a statutory trust shall have the power to:
(1)
Indemnify and hold harmless, and to obligate itself to indemnify and hold harmless, any trustee, officer, employee, or agent from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever; and
(2)
Pay or reimburse in advance of final disposition of a proceeding, as defined in § 2–418 of this article, reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.
(b)
Except as provided in the governing instrument of a statutory trust, a trustee shall be indemnified to the same extent as a director of a corporation under § 2–418 of this article.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 12-404 (2026)
Title 12. Statutory Trusts
Subtitle 4. Trustees; Powers; Liabilities
§ 12–404LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in the governing instrument of a statutory trust:
(1)
Meetings of trustees may be held at any place or by conference telephone or in any other manner by which all persons participating in the meeting as trustees may hear each other; and
(2)
Participation in a meeting in accordance with item (1) of this subsection shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
(b)
Except as provided in the governing instrument of a statutory trust, on any matter that is to be voted on by the trustees:
(1)
The trustees may take action on the matter without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action taken, is signed by the trustees having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all trustees entitled to vote on the matter were present and voted; and
(2)
A trustee may vote:
(i)
In person; or
(ii)
By proxy granted in writing, by means of telephonic or electronic transmission, or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
(c)
Except as provided in the governing instrument of a statutory trust, a consent transmitted by electronic transmission by a trustee or by a person authorized to act for a trustee shall be deemed to be written and signed for purposes of this section.
(d)
Except as provided in the governing instrument of a statutory trust, any act requiring the approval of the trustees shall be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the trustees.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 12-405 (2026)
Title 12. Statutory Trusts
Subtitle 4. Trustees; Powers; Liabilities
§ 12–405LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies to a statutory trust that is an investment company, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(b)
A trustee of a statutory trust who with respect to the statutory trust is not an interested person, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, shall be deemed to be independent and disinterested when making a determination or taking any action as a trustee.