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MD SB8: Criminal Law - Identity Fraud - Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake Representations

Effective Oct 1, 2026 Maryland · 2026 session

Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · official bill text

SB8 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since Oct 1, 2026
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.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Maryland's Chapter 445 of 2026 adds AI and deepfakes to the state's identity fraud law. Knowingly, willfully and with fraudulent intent using AI or a deepfake (a realistic image, video or audio of an actual, identifiable person) to impersonate, falsely depict or claim to represent someone to cause harm, or to create or distribute false records to cause harm, get personal identifying information or get something of value, is a felony: up to 5 years and $10,000 with one victim, 10 years and $15,000 with two or more. Victims can sue for an injunction and other relief. Effective October 1, 2026.

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

What it means for business

No new compliance duties. From Oct. 1, 2026, fraudulent AI or deepfake impersonation is a felony in Maryland, and victims can sue for injunctions.

Key provisions

  1. Amends Criminal Law § 8-301 (identity fraud); AI has the meaning in State Finance and Procurement § 3.5-801
  2. Deepfake representation: a photo, film, video, audio recording or digital or computer-generated image indistinguishable from an actual, identifiable person; drawings, cartoons, sculptures and paintings are excluded
  3. New § 8-301(f)(2): no knowingly, willfully and fraudulently using AI or a deepfake to impersonate, falsely depict or claim to represent another person to cause harm (physical injury, serious emotional distress or economic damages), or to create or distribute false records to cause harm, obtain personal identifying information or obtain something of value
  4. Felony penalties for (f)(2): up to 5 years and/or $10,000 with one victim; up to 10 years and/or $15,000 with two or more victims
  5. Victims of an (f)(2) violation may sue for an injunction and other appropriate relief
  6. New and expanded misdemeanors (up to 1 year and/or $500): using someone's personal identifying information without consent to cause harm, and assuming another's identity to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce them
  7. Approved by the Governor May 12, 2026 (Chapter 445; cross-filed with HB 184); effective October 1, 2026

Latest legislative action

May 12, 2026. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 445

Sponsors (showing 5 of 13)

NameRoleDistrict
D Sponsor SD-026
D Sponsor SD-044
R Sponsor SD-042
D Sponsor SD-018
D Sponsor SD-009

Roll call votes

H Third Reading: Passed Apr 10, 2026

132 yea0 nay9 otherPassed

S Third Reading: Passed Mar 19, 2026

45 yea0 nay2 otherPassed

Amendments (1)

  • Favorable with Amendments 493123/1 Adopted Adopted 2026-03-18

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI Deepfakes

Affected industries

TechnologyFinance

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

Related AI laws in Maryland

All Maryland bills →
SB360 Revenge Porn - Definition of Visual Representation and Civil Action SB655 Courts - Artificial Intelligence Evidence Clinic Pilot Program - Establishment SB141 Election Law - Election Misinformation, Election Disinformation, and Deepfakes HB740 Election Law - Campaign Materials - Disclosure of Use of Synthetic Media HB525 Election Law - Influencing a Voter By Dissemination of a Deepfake - Prohibition SB361 Election Law - Influence on a Voter's Voting Decision By Use of Fraud - Prohibit

Same topic in other states

Montana HB513 Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penal New Hampshire HB1432 Relative to prohibiting certain uses of deepfakes and creating a private claim o Utah SB0256 Identity Protection Modifications Rhode Island S3338 Relating to Criminal Offenses -- Impersonation and Identity Fraud Tennessee HB2091 AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1 and Title New York S5959 Establishes the right of publicity and provides for a private right of action fo