This bill expands regulatory requirements for constructing overhead transmission lines in Maryland by requiring a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission for lines carrying over 69,000 volts, while also giving the Commission authority to waive this requirement under specific criteria related to costs, environmental impact, and other factors. The legislation also restricts the construction of data centers in certain Baltimore City development districts and clarifies definitions related to construction activities for transmission lines. Additionally, the bill outlines notification procedures that applicants must follow when seeking approval, ensuring that local governments, state officials, and landowners are informed about proposed projects.
This Maryland bill establishes civil liability for commercial websites that knowingly distribute sexual material harmful to minors without implementing age verification systems. The law requires such sites to verify that users are at least 18 years old using government-issued ID, commercially reasonable methods, or digital identification before allowing access to the content. Additionally, the bill prohibits age verification providers from keeping any personal identifying information about individuals after they attempt to access the material. Parents or legal guardians can sue for damages if a minor accesses this content due to a site's failure to verify age, while the law exempts internet service providers and protects news organizations from these requirements.
SB 680 reclassifies the offense of intercepting, disclosing, or using unauthorized wire, oral, or electronic communications from a felony to a misdemeanor under Maryland law. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully intercept, share, or use private communications obtained through illegal means. The bill changes the penalty from potential felony charges to a maximum of 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine for violations of Section 10-402(a). This is a straightforward penalty adjustment without altering the prohibited conduct itself. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 995 prohibits behavioral health care providers (like therapists and counselors) in Maryland from using artificial intelligence for direct patient care, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or therapeutic communication. The bill allows AI for administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments or managing records, but requires providers to: comply with confidentiality laws, sign vendor agreements preventing data misuse, and obtain written patient consent about AI risks. Providers must also independently verify AI-generated clinical data before use. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all licensed behavioral health providers in Maryland.
HB 762 permits Maryland law enforcement to use facial recognition technology on images captured by cameras mounted on the exterior of a dwelling (like a home) to investigate nine specific property crimes, including first- and second-degree burglary, arson, and trespassing. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and homeowners or tenants who have such exterior cameras. The bill modifies existing law to allow this exception only when the image was recorded by the dwelling’s owner or tenant, and restricts its use to the listed property crimes - excluding most other criminal investigations. The law does not change how facial recognition may be used for other types of evidence or in non-dwelling settings.
HB 1023 prohibits the sale, distribution, manufacturing, or offering for sale of lab-grown meat (defined as meat cultured from animal cells outside the animal) for human consumption within Maryland. It directly affects businesses producing or selling lab-grown meat products in the state. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation and authorizes the Secretary to seize or condemn prohibited products. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 756 allows Maryland law enforcement to use facial recognition technology to investigate specific crimes when the image was captured inside a dwelling (a structure adapted for overnight accommodation). It permits this use only for investigating first-degree arson, second-degree arson, and certain burglary or trespass offenses (first/third/fourth-degree burglary, trespass on posted property, or wanton trespass on private property). The bill does not expand general use of facial recognition but creates a narrow exception for images obtained inside homes during these specific investigations. This change modifies existing law to permit the technology in these limited circumstances, while maintaining broader restrictions on its use for other crimes or contexts.
HB 755 requires Maryland county school boards to create policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like phones) during all school day hours, effective by the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must mandate students store devices securely and prohibits use except for documented needs in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan. Schools must also provide designated phones for students to contact parents or guardians during the school day. The law explicitly bars suspensions or expulsions solely for violating this device policy. This directly affects all public school students and school boards across Maryland.
HB 525 requires Maryland county school boards to create and implement policies limiting student use of phones and other electronic communication devices (like tablets or smartwatches) during the academic school day, effective by the 2027-2028 school year. The policy must prohibit personal device use except for specific, documented needs (such as IEP accommodations, health monitoring, emergencies, or educational purposes when school devices aren't available), and require students to store devices securely. School boards must engage parents and staff in developing the policy, publish it in multiple languages, and report annually on its implementation, including enforcement data and impacts on student focus and well-being. The bill directly affects all public school students and county school boards across Maryland.
HB 145 requires Maryland's State Administrator of Elections to act on credible reports of election misinformation (false information about voting) or disinformation (knowingly misleading information) by providing corrective information, requesting removal from online platforms, and seeking records via subpoena. It prohibits knowingly using AI-generated deepfakes (manipulated videos/audio) to mislead voters about voting rights, election results, or registration, with violations punishable as misdemeanors carrying up to $5,000 fines or 5 years in jail. The law exempts satire, news coverage (like interviews or documentaries), and media outlets that clearly label deceptive content. It directly affects voters seeking accurate election information, election officials managing reports, and content creators distributing election-related material. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.
