Marriage - Confidential Communication

SB 142 amends Maryland law to clarify that "spouse" includes a former spouse regarding confidential communications during marriage. It specifically allows a spouse alleged to be the victim to disclose private talks they shared during marriage if their spouse is charged with a crime against them in a criminal case. The bill also ensures a spouse cannot be forced to testify about such confidential communications under this exception. This change directly affects married or formerly married individuals involved in criminal cases where one spouse is accused of harming the other.