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MarylandHB 05932026 Regular SessionHouse

Criminal Law - Interference With Critical Infrastructure or a Public Safety Answering Point

Sponsored By: Terri L. Hill (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesAdministrative AgenciesCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.CybersecurityEmergency Services -see also- Ambul; Emergencies; etc.Health -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Municipal Corporations -see also- Annap; BaltPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltySafety -see also- Occupational SafetyTelecommunicationsTransportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etcUtilities -see also- Recycl; Refuse; Sewage; Teleph; Water

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New crimes for disrupting critical systems

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, it is a crime to intend to interrupt critical infrastructure or 911 call centers. It is also illegal to attack state government, electricity or gas systems, public utilities, hospitals, or public schools. Denying access to authorized users of critical infrastructure or 911 centers is a crime. If losses to those public services are $10,000 or more, the felony penalty is up to 10 years or a $100,000 fine; if under $10,000, up to 5 years or a $25,000 fine. Intent to disrupt critical infrastructure or 911 centers is a felony with up to 5 years or a $25,000 fine; blocking authorized access is a felony with up to 10 years or a $50,000 fine.

Clear definitions for cyber crimes

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, the law defines key cyber terms. It defines access to a computer or network. It defines the aggregate amount of loss, including reasonable costs to check for harm. It defines critical infrastructure as systems whose loss would harm safety, health, or utilities. It also defines ransomware as unauthorized code that locks data and demands payment.

New crimes for computer misuse

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, it is a crime to access a computer or network without permission or to copy data from it. It is illegal to make systems malfunction or to alter, damage, or destroy data. It is illegal to possess or share valid access codes without authorization. Knowing possession of ransomware with intent to use it is banned unless you have a bona fide research, government, testing, news, or similar reason.

Penalties for computer intrusions and ransomware

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, unauthorized access is a misdemeanor with up to 3 years in jail or a $1,000 fine. For offenses causing or aiming to cause malfunctions or misusing access codes, penalties scale by loss: at $10,000 or more, a felony with up to 10 years or a $10,000 fine; under $10,000, a misdemeanor with up to 5 years or a $5,000 fine. Possessing ransomware with intent to use it is a misdemeanor with up to 2 years or a $5,000 fine.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Terri L. Hill

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Regina T. Boyce

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Lanman Guzzone

    Democratic • House

  • Gabriel M. Moreno

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie Smith

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 181 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/26/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 136 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 521

    5/12/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    4/13/2026Senate

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/8/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/8/2026Senate

  6. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    2/27/2026Senate

  7. Third Reading Passed (136-0)

    2/26/2026House

  8. Second Reading Passed

    2/24/2026House

  9. Favorable Adopted

    2/24/2026House

  10. Favorable Report by Judiciary

    2/23/2026House

  11. Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/30/2026House

  12. First Reading Judiciary

    1/28/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/12/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/28/2026

    PDF

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