Skip to content

Session Expired

Your session has expired. Please sign in again to continue where you left off.

Sign In Again

MD SB361: Election Law - Influence on a Voter's Voting Decision By Use of Fraud - Prohibition

Dead/Failed Maryland · 2025 session

Last verified May 4, 2026 · official bill text

SB361 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (dead/failed) · last action Apr 7, 2025.

What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Signed / enacted
Signed into law; it may or may not be in effect yet.
In effect
The effective date has passed.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

This bill prohibits using fraud, including synthetic media, to influence a voter's decision in Maryland elections.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

If you use synthetic media in election-related activities in Maryland, you must ensure it does not mislead voters or face legal penalties.

What this means

SB361 aims to strengthen election integrity by prohibiting fraudulent influences on voters, particularly through the use of synthetic media. This legislation is crucial for maintaining trust in the electoral process.

Key provisions

  1. Prohibits using fraud to influence a voter's decision.
  2. Defines fraud to include the use of synthetic media.

Compliance checklist

  • Ensure all election-related communications are free from fraudulent influences. Who: Individuals and organizations involved in election communications. Penalty: Legal consequences for non-compliance.

Latest legislative action

Apr 7, 2025. Third Reading Passed (39-8)

Full analysis

SB361 seeks to prohibit any person from using fraud to influence or attempt to influence a voter's decision during elections in Maryland. The bill explicitly includes the use of synthetic media as a form of fraud, which highlights the growing concern over the impact of AI-generated content on electoral integrity. Compliance will be necessary, particularly for those utilizing digital media. Specific penalties are not detailed in the current text.

Sponsors

NameRoleDistrict
D Sponsor SD-009

Roll call votes

H Third Reading: Passed Apr 7, 2025

129 yea10 nay2 otherPassed

S Third Reading: Passed Apr 7, 2025

39 yea8 nayPassed

S Third Reading: Passed Mar 12, 2025

42 yea5 nayPassed

Amendments (3)

  • Floor Amendment 413027/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected Not adopted 2025-03-12
  • Favorable with Amendments 883223/1 Adopted Adopted 2025-04-03
  • Conference Committee Report 713229/1 Adopted Adopted 2025-04-07

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Deepfakes

Affected industries

TechnologyMedia

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

More Maryland AI legislation

All Maryland bills →
HB872 Election Law – Campaign Materials – Disclosure of Use of Synthetic Media SB739 Algorithmic Addiction Fund - Establishment SB979 Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines and Pilot Program HB1119 Algorithmic Addiction Fund - Establishment HB711 Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data HB1141 Department of Information Technology - Evaluation and Development of a 3-1-1 Por