1. (a)

   1. (1) Subject to the exclusions and limitations in this subtitle and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the immunity of the State and of its units is waived as to a tort action, in a court of the State, to the extent provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection.

   2. (2)

      1. (i) Except as provided in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, the liability of the State and its units may not exceed $400,000 to a single claimant for injuries arising from a single incident or occurrence.

      2. (ii) If liability of the State or its units arises from intentional tortious acts or omissions or a violation of a constitutional right committed by a law enforcement officer, the following limits on liability shall apply:

         1. 1. subject to item 2 of this subparagraph, the combined award for both economic and noneconomic damages may not exceed a total of $890,000 for all claims arising out of the same incident or occurrence, regardless of the number of claimants or beneficiaries who share in the award; and
         2. 2. in a wrongful death action in which there are two or more claimants or beneficiaries, an award for noneconomic damages may not exceed 150% of the limitation established under item 1 of this subparagraph, regardless of the number of claimants or beneficiaries who share in the award.

      3. (iii) If liability of the State or its units arises under one or more claims of sexual abuse, as defined in § 5-117 of the Courts Article, that occurred when the claimant was a minor:

         1. 1. Except as provided in item 2 of this paragraph, the liability may not exceed $890,000 to a single claimant for injuries arising from the claim or claims; and
         2. 2. for an action filed on or after June 1, 2025, that would have been barred by a time limitation before October 1, 2023, the liability may not exceed $400,000 to a single claimant for injuries arising from the claim or claims.
2. (b) Immunity is not waived under this section as described under § 5-522(a) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The Treasurer may pay from the State Insurance Trust Fund all or part of that portion of a tort claim which exceeds the limitation on liability established under subsection (a)(2) of this section under the following conditions:

      1. (i) the tort claim is one for which the State and its units have waived immunity under subsections (a) and (b) of this section;
      2. (ii) a judgment or settlement has been entered granting the claimant damages to the full amount established under subsection (a)(2) of this section; and
      3. (iii) the Board of Public Works, with the advice and counsel of the Attorney General, has approved the payment.
   2. (2) Any payment of part of a settlement or judgment under this subsection does not abrogate the sovereign immunity of the State or any units beyond the waiver provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

Added by Acts 1984, c. 284, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1985, c. 538, § 2, eff. July 1, 1985; Acts 1986, c. 5, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986; Acts 1986, c. 396, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986; Acts 1990, c. 546, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 1990; Acts 1995, c. 437, § 2, eff. July 1, 1996; Acts 1997, c. 14, § 20, eff. April 8, 1997; Acts 1999, c. 639, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 2015, c. 132, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2015; Acts 2021, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2023, c. 5, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 6, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2023; Acts 2024, c. 610, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 611, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024; Acts 2025, c. 104, § 1, eff. June 1, 2025; Acts 2026, c. 153, § 1, eff. April 14, 2026.

Formerly Art. 95, § 27.