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MarylandSB 00922025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Peace Orders and Criminal Harassment - Intentional Visual Surveillance

Sponsored By: Paul D. Corderman (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Family LawCriminal Law - Substantive CrimesElectronic Surveillance -see also- WiretappingHarassment -see also- ThreatsPrivacyProtection Orders

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Residents gain court protection from surveillance

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland residents can seek a peace order for intentional visual surveillance of private residential areas. The surveillance must involve an area where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Residents can file with a court or commissioner for acts alleged to have occurred within the previous 30 days. A final peace order can require the person conducting surveillance to remove or reposition the device within 15 days. The court can also order that person to stop further visual surveillance.

Residential surveillance brings protections and penalties

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland's criminal 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 conduct must be intended to harass, alarm, or annoy, follow a reasonable warning or request to stop, and lack a legal purpose. Peaceable activity meant to express political views or provide information is excluded, and constitutional rights remain protected. A first offense is a misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. A second or later offense carries up to 180 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul D. Corderman

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 130 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 2/18/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 575

    5/13/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    4/2/2025Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (130-0)

    4/1/2025House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/31/2025House

  5. Favorable Report by Judiciary

    3/31/2025House

  6. Referred Judiciary

    2/19/2025House

  7. Third Reading Passed (44-0)

    2/18/2025Senate

  8. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/12/2025Senate

  9. Favorable with Amendments {523023/1 Adopted

    2/12/2025Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

    2/10/2025Senate

  11. Hearing 1/15 at 12:00 p.m.

    1/9/2025Senate

  12. First Reading Judicial Proceedings

    1/8/2025Senate

  13. Pre-filed

    10/7/2024Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/12/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/8/2025

    PDF

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