Intercepted Communications - Penalty

SB 38 reclassifies the offense of intercepting or disclosing wire, oral, or electronic communications from a felony to a misdemeanor under Maryland law. It directly affects individuals who illegally intercept or disclose such communications, as defined in Section 10-402 of Maryland’s Courts and Judicial Proceedings code. The bill changes the penalty to a maximum of 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or both, while maintaining the core prohibitions against interception and disclosure. This is a procedural change to the criminal penalty structure, not a modification of the underlying restrictions on communications. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.