HB198

Election Law - Online Campaign Material - Use of Deepfakes Verified

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AI Summary

The bill prohibits the use of deepfakes to influence voters within 90 days of an election, with penalties for violations.

Business Impact

If you publish online campaign materials in Maryland, you must avoid using deepfakes within 90 days of an election or face misdemeanor charges.

State
Maryland
Bill Number
HB198
Status
Introduced
Risk Level
Medium
Category
Narrow/Targeted
Last Action
Jan 21, 2020
Last Verified
Apr 19, 2026
Data Updated
Apr 19, 2026
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced — Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee — Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed — Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted — Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed — Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown — Status data not yet available or awaiting classification

Affected Industries

Consumer Protection Government Digital Media Technology Political Campaigning

Topics

What This Means

Maryland's HB198 aims to regulate the use of deepfakes in online campaign materials, particularly in the lead-up to elections. It prohibits individuals from using deepfakes to influence voter decisions, establishing penalties for violations. This legislation seeks to enhance the integrity of the electoral process by addressing the potential misuse of advanced technologies.

Key Provisions

Latest Legislative Action

Hearing 2/06 at 1:00 p.m.

Bill Sponsors

Name Role District
Sponsor HD-030A
Sponsor HD-032
Sponsor HD-031A
Sponsor HD-032
Sponsor HD-031B

Compliance Checklist

Avoid using deepfakes in online campaign materials
Who: Individuals and organizations involved in election campaigns
Deadline: Within 90 days of an election
Penalty: Misdemeanor charges, fines, and possible imprisonment

Full Legal Analysis

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Official Source


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