# Maryland HB 0688: Intercepted Communications - Penalty

Maryland HB 0688, Intercepted Communications - Penalty, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Karen Simpson (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-03-19 (Referred Judicial Proceedings) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0688-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland HB 0688
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Intercepted Communications - Penalty
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-02
- Last action: 2026-03-19, Referred Judicial Proceedings
- Sponsor: Karen Simpson (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Criminal Law - Procedures, Communications -see also- ElecComm; Intergov; etc., Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc., Disclosure, Electronic Communication, Wiretapping
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (96 yes, 36 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karen Simpson (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-18 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 96 | 36 | 3 |

## Actions (6)

- 2026-03-19: Referred Judicial Proceedings (Senate)
- 2026-03-18: Third Reading Passed (96-36) (House)
- 2026-03-17: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House)
- 2026-03-16: Favorable Report by Judiciary (House)
- 2026-02-02: Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-02-02: First Reading Judiciary (House)

## Bill text

- Third Reading, 2026-03-17: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0688t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-02-02: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0688f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0688t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0688f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
- [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0688-2026RS (as of 2026-10-17).