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MarylandHB 02362025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Peace Orders and Criminal Harassment - Intentional Visual Surveillance

Sponsored By: William Valentine (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Family LawCriminal Law - Substantive CrimesElectronic Surveillance -see also- WiretappingHarassment -see also- ThreatsPrivacyProtection OrdersResidential Property -see also- Apartments; Condominiums

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More protection against harassment at home

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland’s harassment law covers visual surveillance of residential areas where someone reasonably expects privacy. A residence includes its yard, grounds, outbuildings, and surrounding common areas. The person must intend to harass, alarm, or annoy, act after a reasonable warning or request to stop, and lack a legal purpose. Peaceful activity intended to express political views or inform others is excluded. A first offense carries up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. Later offenses carry up to 180 days, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Surveillance victims gain court-ordered device removal

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland adds device-removal requirements to final peace orders based on visual surveillance. These requirements apply to acts covered by Maryland Criminal Law §§ 3-901, 3-902, or 3-903. The act must have occurred within 30 days before the petition was filed. The final order requires the person responsible to remove or reposition the device within 15 days after issuance. It also requires that person to stop further visual surveillance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William Valentine

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Lauren Arikan

    Republican • House

  • Jon S. Cardin

    Democratic • House

  • Frank M. Conaway

    Democratic • House

  • Charlotte Crutchfield

    Democratic • House

  • Robin L. Grammer

    Republican • House

  • Aaron M. Kaufman

    Democratic • House

  • N. Scott Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Sheree Sample-Hughes

    Democratic • House

  • Stuart Michael Schmidt

    Republican • House

  • Gary Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Simpson

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Tomlinson

    Republican • House

  • Nicole A. Williams

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 182 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 135 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 574

    5/13/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    4/2/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (47-0)

    4/2/2025Senate

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/27/2025Senate

  5. Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

    3/27/2025Senate

  6. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/7/2025Senate

  7. Third Reading Passed (135-0)

    3/6/2025House

  8. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/4/2025House

  9. Favorable with Amendments {693029/1 Adopted

    3/4/2025House

  10. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

    3/3/2025House

  11. Hearing 1/23 at 11:00 a.m.

    1/16/2025House

  12. Hearing canceled

    1/16/2025House

  13. Hearing 1/23 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/10/2025House

  14. First Reading Judiciary

    1/8/2025House

  15. Pre-filed

    10/10/2024House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/4/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/8/2025

    PDF

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