Criminal Law - Child Pornography - Prohibitions and Penalties

HB 364 updates Maryland's criminal law to prohibit possessing or viewing certain child pornography, including realistic computer-generated images that appear to depict actual minors under 16 engaged in sexual conduct, sadomasochistic abuse, or sexual excitement. The bill explicitly bans such materials while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings from coverage. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties (up to 5 years or $2,500) for first offenses and felony penalties (up to 10 years or $10,000) for repeat offenses. A person may avoid liability by promptly reporting the material to law enforcement or destroying it. The law directly affects anyone possessing or viewing these materials, with no requirement to identify the minor in the material for prosecution.