In one paragraph
Maryland's HB 1202 bars employers from using a facial recognition service to create a facial template (the machine-interpretable pattern of facial features extracted from images) during a job applicant's interview unless the applicant consents by signing a waiver. The waiver must state in plain language the applicant's name, the interview date, that the applicant consents to facial recognition during the interview, and whether the applicant read the waiver. The act itself sets no penalty. Became law without the Governor's signature (Chapter 446, May 8, 2020); effective October 1, 2020.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Employers may not use facial recognition to create a facial template of a job applicant during an interview unless the applicant signs a plain-language consent waiver. The act itself sets no penalty.
Key provisions
- Adds Labor and Employment § 3-717: a facial recognition service is technology that analyzes facial features and is used for recognition or persistent tracking of individuals in still or video images; a facial template is the machine-interpretable pattern of facial features it extracts from one or more images of an individual
- An employer may not use a facial recognition service to create a facial template during an applicant's interview for employment unless the applicant consents
- An applicant may consent by signing a waiver stating in plain language the applicant's name, the date of the interview, that the applicant consents to the use of facial recognition during the interview, and whether the applicant read the consent waiver
- The act contains no penalty or enforcement provision
- Passed 133-0 in the House and 45-0 in the Senate; became law without the Governor's signature under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution on May 8, 2020 (Chapter 446); effective October 1, 2020, the date set in the act
Latest legislative action
May 8, 2020. Enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 446
Sponsors (showing 5 of 78)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Acevero | Primary |
| Adams | Primary |
| Alston | Primary |
| Arentz | Primary |
| Bagnall | Primary |
Roll call votes
On Third Reading Mar 10, 2020
133 yea0 nay8 otherPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error