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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Senate Bill 680 reclassifies unlawful communication interception from a felony to a misdemeanor
Last action · February 12, 2026: Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsor: Chris West
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 680 changes the penalty for unlawfully intercepting, disclosing, or using s from a felony to a , taking effect October 1, 2026.
Lowers the criminal classification for specific communication interception offenses while keeping the maximum penalties of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
- Senate Bill 38 from the 2025 legislative session was assigned to the Judicial Proceedings committee, serving as a predecessor or related measure to this bill. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Individuals charged with communication interception offenses
Faces misdemeanor charges instead of felony charges under Section 10-402.
Key Facts
- Reclassifies the unlawful interception, disclosure, or use of wire, oral, or electronic communications from a felony to a misdemeanor.
- Retains the maximum penalty of imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both for violators.
- Applies to violations under Section 10-402(b) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article.
- Scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What criminal charge does Senate Bill 680 change?
Does the bill change the maximum prison sentence or fine?
When does this change take effect?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 12, 2026SenateHearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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