Legislation to Establish Office to Mediate Asbestos Claims Dies in Maryland Senate

BALTIMORE –– Legislation aimed at establishing an office to mediate asbestos claims has died in the Maryland Senate, as senators opted not to approve a bill that was opposed by the Maryland Judiciary, which stated that it is “making full use of … procedures” established five years ago to address a backlog of asbestos cases in the Baltimore City docket.

Maryland senators opted not to approve the legislation on April 9, according to published reports. The Maryland House had amended the bill to create a joint commission to study the issue, but senators did not vote on the new …