Del. John Arnick introduced HB 28, the Common Sense Food Consumption Act. This legislation would prohibit a person from filing a civil suit against a seller of food for damages based on a claim of injury or death resulting from the person’s weight gain or obesity. Similar legislation was introduced last session, but it died in committee.

The Maryland Chamber supports this legislation as a way curtail frivolous lawsuits against businesses that sell food. Since 2003, numerous states have enacted similar legislation. Businesses should not have to bear the time or expense of defending a new line of cases seeking to expand tort liability resulting from a consumer’s long-term food choices. The bill hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2.

Overlawyered.com has a category that tracks these types of cases — a scary read.