MD SB655: Courts - Artificial Intelligence Evidence Clinic Pilot Program - Establishment

In one paragraph

Maryland's SB 655 creates an Artificial Intelligence Evidence Clinic Pilot Program in the Administrative Office of the Courts to give the circuit courts and District Court expert testimony on the authenticity of electronic evidence that a court determines may have been created or altered using AI. The program draws on students, recent graduates, faculty and technology professionals, prioritizes civil cases where a party lacks a lawyer or reasonable access to expert testimony, and runs through grants to colleges and universities. Vetoed May 16, 2025; veto overridden December 16, 2025 (Chapter 17 of the 2025 Special Session); effective January 15, 2026, 30 days after the override.

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

What it means for business

No duties for businesses. Eligible colleges and universities may receive court grants to supply AI expert testimony on whether evidence was created or altered with AI; civil cases with unrepresented parties get priority.

Key provisions

1. 1New Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 13-101.2; "artificial intelligence" has the meaning in State Finance and Procurement § 3.5-801; the program sits in the Administrative Office of the Courts
2. 2Purpose: AI expertise for the circuit courts and the District Court in the form of expert testimony on the authenticity of electronic evidence that a court determines may have been created or altered using AI
3. 3The program must engage college and university students, recent graduates, and faculty and technology professionals dedicated to AI research to build expert witness resources, and must prioritize civil cases in which a party lacks legal representation or reasonable access to expert testimony
4. 4The Administrative Office of the Courts must develop a grant application and award grants to eligible institutions of higher education; a grant agreement may require the Office to hold the grantee harmless from claims over the AI expertise, except for willful or wanton misconduct, gross negligence or intentionally tortious conduct
5. 5For fiscal years 2027 and 2028 the Governor may include $250,000 for the program in the budget bill; no more than 20% may go to administrative expenses. The act sets no end date for the pilot
6. 6Vetoed by the Governor May 16, 2025 (policy veto); veto overridden December 16, 2025 (Senate 45-0, House 127-4); became law as Chapter 17 of the 2025 Special Session
7. 7Effective January 15, 2026: the act's own date (July 1, 2025) had passed, and under Md. Const. Art. II, § 17(d) a bill enacted over a veto takes effect 30 days after the override or on its stated date, whichever is later

Latest legislative action

Dec 16, 2025. Became law per Maryland Constitution, Chapter 17 of 2025 Special Session

Sponsors

Roll call votes

Amendments (2)

• Favorable with Amendments 963824/1 Adopted Adopted 2025-03-11
• Favorable with Amendments 373728/1 Adopted Adopted 2025-04-02