A civil action at law shall be filed within three years from the date it accrues unless another provision of the Code provides a different period of time within which an action shall be commenced.

An action on one of the following specialties shall be filed within 12 years after the cause of action accrues, or within 12 years from the date of the death of the last to die of the principal debtor or creditor, whichever is sooner: Promissory note or other instrument under seal; Bond except a public officer’s bond; Judgment; Recognizance; Contract under seal; or Any other specialty. A payment of principal or interest on a specialty suspends the operation of this section as to the specialty for three years after the date of payment. This section does not apply to: A specialty taken for the use of the State; A deed of trust, mortgage, or promissory note that has been signed under seal and secures or is secured by owner–occupied residential property, as defined in § 7–105.1 of the Real Property Article; or A contract, including a contract under seal, or a promissory note or other instrument under seal that is: Related to an obligation of a consumer to pay consumer debt, as defined in § 5–1201 of this title, that arises from hospital services, as defined in § 19–201 of the Health – General Article; and Between a consumer and a hospital, as defined in § 19–301 of the Health – General Article.

Within 20 years from the date the cause of action accrues, a person shall: File an action for recovery of possession of a corporeal freehold or leasehold estate in land; or Enter on the land. This section does not affect the common-law doctrine of prescription as it applies to the creation of incorporeal interests in land by adverse use. This section does not affect the periods of limitations set forth in § 6-103 or § 8-107 of the Real Property Article.

An action on a public officer’s bond shall be filed within five years from the date of the bond. The State may sue on a public officer’s bond, for its own use, at any time.

An action for assault, libel, or slander shall be filed within one year from the date it accrues.

Except as provided by this section, § 1–303 of the Environment Article, and § 8–1815 of the Natural Resources Article, a prosecution for a misdemeanor shall be instituted within 1 year after the offense was committed. Notwithstanding § 9–103(a)(3) of the Correctional Services Article or any other provision of the Code, if a statute provides that a misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary or that a person is subject to this subsection: The State may institute a prosecution for the misdemeanor at any time; and For purposes of the Maryland Constitution, the person: Shall be deemed to have committed a misdemeanor whose punishment is confinement in the penitentiary; and May reserve a point or question for in banc review as provided under Article IV, § 22 of the Maryland Constitution. A prosecution under the vehicle code shall be instituted within 2 years after the offense was committed if the charge is: Unlawfully using a driver’s license; or Fraudulently using a false or fictitious name when applying for a driver’s license. A prosecution for Sabbath breaking or drunkenness shall be instituted within 30 days after the offense was committed. In Allegany County, a prosecution for selling alcoholic beverages to a person under the legal age for drinking such alcoholic beverages or for selling alcoholic beverages after hours shall be instituted within 30 days after the offense was committed. A prosecution for the commission of or the attempt to commit a misdemeanor constituting: (1) a criminal offense under the Maryland Public Ethics Law; or (2) criminal malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office committed by an officer of the State, or of an agency of the State, or of a political subdivision of the State, or of a bicounty or multicounty agency in the State shall be instituted within 2 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for conspiracy to commit any of the offenses enumerated in subsection (f) of this section shall be instituted within 2 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution shall be instituted within 4 years after the offense was committed: For the commission of or for the attempt to commit a misdemeanor constituting a criminal offense under the State election laws; or To impose a civil fine for an offense arising under § 13–604, § 13–604.1, § 14–107, or § 14–110 of the Election Law Article. A petition by the State Ethics Commission to seek a civil fine under § 5–902(b) of the General Provisions Article may not be initiated unless the complaint is filed by the Commission within 3 years from the time the conduct ended. A prosecution for a welfare offense under §§ 8–501 through 8–504 of the Criminal Law Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for a misdemeanor offense under Title 8, Subtitle 5, Part II of the Criminal Law Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for an offense arising under the Tax – General Article with respect to the sales and use, admissions and amusement, financial institution franchise, income, or motor fuel tax shall be instituted within 3 years after the date on which the offense was committed. A prosecution for the offense of failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance in accordance with Title 9, Subtitle 4 of the Labor and Employment Article shall be instituted within 1 year after the State Workers’ Compensation Commission finds, by order, that the employer was uninsured or, pursuant to the authority contained in § 9–1003 of the Labor and Employment Article, within 1 year after the Uninsured Employers’ Fund makes payment under § 9–1003 of the Labor and Employment Article, as directed by the Commission. Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, the statute of limitations for the prosecution of the crime of conspiracy is the statute of limitations for the prosecution of the substantive crime that is the subject of the conspiracy. A prosecution for an offense under Title 2, Subtitle 5 or § 2–209 of the Criminal Law Article or § 20–102 of the Transportation Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for an offense of discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, gender identity, race, or disability in paying wages under §§ 3–301 through 3–308 of the Labor and Employment Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the performance of the act on which the prosecution is based. A prosecution for an offense under § 5–362, § 5–3A–45, or § 5–3B–32 of the Family Law Article as to unlawfully charging or receiving compensation in connection with adoption shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for an offense under § 14–601 of the Health Occupations Article of practicing, attempting to practice, or offering to practice medicine without a license shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for an offense under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act (Title 6 of the Business Regulation Article) shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for an offense under § 5–141 or § 5–144 of the Public Safety Article, relating to straw sales of regulated firearms to prohibited persons or minors and to illegal sales, rentals, transfers, possession, or receipt of regulated firearms, shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for a violation of the fish and fisheries provisions of Title 4 of the Natural Resources Article or the wildlife provisions of Title 10 of the Natural Resources Article shall be instituted within 2 years after commission of the offense. A prosecution under § 7–302 of the Criminal Law Article relating to computer crimes shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for an offense under § 3–605 of the Criminal Law Article relating to abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult shall be instituted within 2 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for a misdemeanor offense under Title 1A, Title 9, or Title 17 of the Health Occupations Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for a misdemeanor offense under the Insurance Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for a misdemeanor offense under § 3–308(c) or, if the victim was a minor at the time of the offense, § 3–308(b)(1) of the Criminal Law Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. This subsection applies in Anne Arundel County to an offense that: Occurs in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, as defined in § 8–1807 of the Natural Resources Article; and Is a violation of a local law that relates to environmental protection or natural resource conservation, including a local law regulating: Grading; Sediment control; Stormwater management; Zoning; Construction; or Health and public safety. A prosecution for an offense described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be instituted within 3 years after the commission of the offense. A prosecution for a misdemeanor offense under § 11–208 of the Criminal Law Article shall be instituted within 2 years after the offense was committed. A prosecution for a misdemeanor offense under Title 8, Subtitle 7 or § 8–6B–23 of the Health Occupations Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. The statute of limitations for the prosecution of an offense under § 4–204 of the Criminal Law Article relating to the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence or felony is the same as the statute of limitations for the underlying crime. This subsection applies in Talbot County to an offense that: Occurs in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, as defined in § 8–1807 of the Natural Resources Article; and Is a violation of a local law that relates to environmental protection or natural resource conservation, including a local law regulating: Grading; Sediment control; Stormwater management; Zoning; Construction; or Health and public safety. A criminal prosecution or a suit for a civil penalty for an offense described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be instituted within 3 years after the local authorities in fact knew or reasonably should have known of the violation. The statute of limitations for the prosecution of the crime of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree in violation of § 2–201 of the Criminal Law Article, murder in the second degree in violation of § 2–204 of the Criminal Law Article, arson in the first degree in violation of § 6–102 of the Criminal Law Article, or arson in the second degree in violation of § 6–103 of the Criminal Law Article is 3 years. A prosecution for an offense under § 3–104.2 of the Real Property Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed. The statute of limitations for the prosecution of the crime of sexual extortion in violation of § 3–709 of the Criminal Law Article is 5 years. The statute of limitations for the prosecution of the crime of stalking in violation of § 3–802 of the Criminal Law Article is 10 years. A prosecution for a violation of § 10–404(a) or (b) of the Criminal Law Article relating to the destruction of funerary objects and other elements of a cemetery shall be instituted within 3 years after the local authorities in fact knew or reasonably should have known of the violation.

Except as provided in § 5–106 of this subtitle, § 1–303 of the Environment Article, and § 8–1815 of the Natural Resources Article, a prosecution or suit for a fine, penalty, or forfeiture shall be instituted within one year after the offense was committed.

Except as provided by this section, no cause of action for damages accrues and a person may not seek contribution or indemnity for damages incurred when wrongful death, personal injury, or injury to real or personal property resulting from the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property occurs more than 20 years after the date the entire improvement first becomes available for its intended use. Except as provided by this section, a cause of action for damages does not accrue and a person may not seek contribution or indemnity from any architect, professional engineer, or contractor for damages incurred when wrongful death, personal injury, or injury to real or personal property, resulting from the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property, occurs more than 10 years after the date the entire improvement first became available for its intended use. Upon accrual of a cause of action referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an action shall be filed within 3 years. In this subsection, “supplier” means any individual or entity whose principal business is the supply, distribution, installation, sale, or resale of any product that causes asbestos-related disease. This section does not apply if: The defendant was in actual possession and control of the property as owner, tenant, or otherwise when the injury occurred; In a cause of action against a manufacturer or supplier for damages for personal injury or death caused by asbestos or a product that contains asbestos, the injury or death results from exposure to asbestos dust or fibers which are shed or emitted prior to or in the course of the affixation, application, or installation of the asbestos or the product that contains asbestos to an improvement to real property; In other causes of action for damages for personal injury or death caused by asbestos or a product that contains asbestos, the defendant is a manufacturer of a product that contains asbestos; or In a cause of action for damages for injury to real property that results from a defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property: The defendant is a manufacturer of a product that contains asbestos; The damages to an improvement to real property are caused by asbestos or a product that contains asbestos; The improvement first became available for its intended use after July 1, 1953; The improvement: Is owned by a governmental entity and used for a public purpose; or Is a public or private institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education; and The complaint is filed by July 1, 1993. A cause of action for an injury described in this section accrues when the injury or damage occurs.

An action for damages for an injury arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services by a health care provider, as defined in § 3-2A-01 of this article, shall be filed within the earlier of: Five years of the time the injury was committed; or Three years of the date the injury was discovered. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the claimant was under the age of 11 years at the time the injury was committed, the time limitations prescribed in subsection (a) of this section shall commence when the claimant reaches the age of 11 years. The provisions of subsection (b) of this section may not be applied to an action for damages for an injury: To the reproductive system of the claimant; or Caused by a foreign object negligently left in the claimant’s body. In an action for damages for an injury described in this subsection, if the claimant was under the age of 16 years at the time the injury was committed, the time limitations prescribed in subsection (a) of this section shall commence when the claimant reaches the age of 16 years. For the purposes of this section, the filing of a claim with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office in accordance with § 3-2A-04 of this article shall be deemed the filing of an action. The provisions of § 5-201 of this title that relate to a cause of action of a minor may not be construed as limiting the application of subsection (b) or (c) of this section. Nothing contained in this section may be construed as limiting the application of the provisions of: § 5-201 of this title that relate to a cause of action of a mental incompetent; or § 5-203 of this title.

An action to enforce any criminal or civil liability created under Title 4 of the General Provisions Article may be brought within two years from the date on which the cause of action arises, except that if the defendant has materially and willfully misrepresented any information required under those sections to be disclosed to a person and the information so misrepresented is material to the establishment of liability of the defendant to the person under those sections, the action may be brought at any time within two years after discovery by the person of the misrepresentation.

A proceeding to hold a person in contempt of court for the person’s default in payment of periodic child or spousal support under the terms of a court order shall be commenced within 3 years of the date each installment of support became due and remained unpaid.

No cause of action for damages accrues and a person may not seek contribution or indemnity for damages incurred for an error in a survey of land unless an action for damages is brought within 10 years of the survey, or within 3 years after the discovery of the error, whichever occurs first.

In this section, “occupational disease” means a disease caused by exposure to any toxic substance in a place of employment and contracted during the course of employment. An action for damages arising out of an occupational disease shall be filed within 3 years of the discovery of facts from which it was known or reasonably should have been known that an occupational disease was the proximate cause of death, but in any event not later than 10 years from the date of death. As used in subsection (b) of this section, “proximate cause” means that the occupational disease was a substantial contributing cause of the death of the plaintiff’s decedent.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Building permit” or “permit” includes a site plan and other documentation submitted in support of an application for a building permit and providing the basis for the issuance of the building permit. “Governmental entity” includes: The State; A local government; and An officer, office, department, agency, board, commission, or other unit of State or local government. “Highway” means any way or thoroughfare, whether or not the way or thoroughfare has been dedicated to the public or a dedication has been accepted. “Local government” means: A charter county as defined in § 1–101 of the Local Government Article; A code county as defined in § 1–101 of the Local Government Article; A board of county commissioners; Baltimore City; A municipality as defined in § 1–101 of the Local Government Article; A special taxing district; or Any other political subdivision. “Person” means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity. “Person” does not include a governmental entity. “Property line” means the line marking the boundary between 2 separate lots or parcels of property. “Setback line” means the distance from a curb or shoulder of a highway, edge of a sidewalk, or property line beyond which any portion of a building or structure may not extend. “Setback line restriction” means a setback line established by: A law, ordinance, or regulation, including a building or zoning law, ordinance, or regulation; or An instrument, however denominated. A person may not initiate an action or proceeding arising out of a failure of a building or structure to comply with a setback line restriction more than 3 years after the date on which the violation first occurred. A governmental entity may not initiate an action or proceeding arising out of a failure of a building or structure to comply with a setback line restriction more than 3 years after the date on which the violation first occurred if the building or structure was constructed or reconstructed: In compliance with an otherwise valid building permit, except that the building permit wrongfully permitted the building or structure to violate a setback line restriction; or Under a valid building permit, and the building or structure failed to comply with a setback line restriction accurately reflected in the permit. For purposes of paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection and notwithstanding any other provision of State or local law to the contrary, a building permit that was otherwise validly issued, except that the permit wrongfully permitted the building or structure to violate a setback line restriction, shall be considered a valid building permit. For purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection, the date on which the violation first occurred shall be deemed to be the date on which the final building inspection was approved. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in a deed or other written instrument, a failure to comply with a setback line restriction may not cause a forfeiture or reversion of title. This section may not be construed to abrogate or affect the defense of laches or any other defense that a person may have to an action or proceeding for a violation of a setback line restriction.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Foreign jurisdiction” means a state, other than this State, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a foreign country. “Manufacturer” means a designer, assembler, fabricator, constructor, compounder, producer, or processor of a product or its component parts. “Manufacturer” includes an individual or entity not otherwise a manufacturer that imports a product or otherwise holds itself out as a manufacturer. “Product” means a tangible article, including attachments, accessories, and component parts, and accompanying labels, warnings, instructions, and packaging. “Seller” means a wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or other individual or entity other than a manufacturer that is regularly engaged in the selling of a product whether the sale is for resale by the purchaser or is for sale to or consumption by the ultimate consumer. If a cause of action against a manufacturer or seller of a product for personal injury allegedly caused by a defective product arose in a foreign jurisdiction and by the laws of that jurisdiction the cause of action may not be maintained by reason of a lapse of time, an action may not be maintained in this State, except in favor of one who is a resident of this State. This section may not be applied to a cause of action: That was precluded, for any period of time, from being filed before July 1, 1991 by operation of law or a court order; or For wrongful death described under Title 3, Subtitle 9 of this article.

An action for damages for an injury or death caused by the effects of a breast implant or breast implant materials shall be filed within the later of: 180 days after the date of completion of any opt-out period in a class action in which the claimant is a member of the class, including an opt-out period provided for in a settlement agreement; 180 days after the completion of any nonbinding mediation in a class action in which the claimant is a member of the class; or A period of limitations that would otherwise apply. This section does not apply to an action for medical injuries subject to the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 2A of this article.

In this section, “sexual abuse” means any act that involves: An adult allowing or encouraging a child to engage in: Obscene photography, films, poses, or similar activity; Pornographic photography, films, poses, or similar activity; or Prostitution; Incest; Rape; Sexual offense in any degree; or Any other sexual conduct that is a crime. Except as provided under subsection (d) of this section and notwithstanding any time limitation under a statute of limitations, a statute of repose, the Maryland Tort Claims Act, the Local Government Tort Claims Act, or any other law, an action for damages arising out of a claim or claims of sexual abuse that occurred while the victim was a minor may be filed at any time. Except as provided in §§ 5–303 and 5–518 of this title and § 12–104 of the State Government Article, the total amount of noneconomic damages that may be awarded under this section to a single claimant in an action against a single defendant for injuries arising from a claim or claims that would have been barred by a time limitation before October 1, 2023, may not exceed: For an action filed on or before May 31, 2025, $1,500,000; and For an action filed on or after June 1, 2025, $700,000. No action for damages that would have been barred by a time limitation before October 1, 2023, may be brought under this section if the alleged victim of abuse is deceased at the commencement of the action. In any action for damages filed on or after June 1, 2025, arising out of a claim or claims of sexual abuse that occurred while the claimant was a minor, counsel may not charge or receive fees that exceed: 20% of the settlement; or 25% of the judgment.

For the purposes of this subtitle, the filing of a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration in accordance with § 27–1001 of the Insurance Article shall be deemed the filing of an action under § 3–1701 of this article.

This section does not apply to a voluntary dismissal of a civil action or claim by the party who commenced the action or claim. This section applies only to a civil action or claim that is dismissed once for failure to file a report in accordance with § 3–2A–04(b)(3) of this article. If a civil action or claim is commenced by a party within the applicable period of limitations and is dismissed without prejudice, the party may commence a new civil action or claim for the same cause against the same party or parties on or before the later of: The expiration of the applicable period of limitations; 60 days from the date of the dismissal; or August 1, 2007, if the action or claim was dismissed on or after November 17, 2006, but before June 1, 2007.

This section applies to an action for injunctive relief or damages for: A violation of a collective bargaining agreement covering an employee of the State or a political subdivision of the State; or A breach by an exclusive representative of the duty of fair representation owed to an employee of the State or a political subdivision of the State. An action subject to this section shall be commenced within 6 months after the later of: The date on which the claim accrued; or The date on which the complainant knew or should reasonably have known of the breach.

In this section the following words have the meaning indicated. “Homeowner” means: A record owner of residential property that is owner–occupied at the time the alleged violation of § 13–301 of the Commercial Law Article or other State law occurred; or An individual who occupies residential property under a use and possession order issued under Title 8, Subtitle 2 of the Family Law Article. “Mortgage servicer” has the meaning stated in § 11–501 of the Financial Institutions Article. “Residential property” has the meaning stated in § 7–105.1 of the Real Property Article. “Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice” has the meaning stated in § 13–301 of the Commercial Law Article. This section applies only to claims relating to residential property. An action filed by a homeowner against a mortgage servicer for damages arising out of an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice shall be filed within the earlier of: 5 years after a foreclosure sale of the residential property; or If the mortgage servicer discloses its unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice to the homeowner, 3 years after the disclosure to the homeowner.