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HB 145

Election Law - Election Misinformation, Election Disinformation, and Deepfakes

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kris Fair and 4 co-sponsors

Maryland bill HB 145 establishes legal framework addressing election misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes to protect electoral integrity while raising free speech definition concerns.

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Bill Summary · HB 145

Legislative bill overview

HB 145 addresses false information in Maryland elections by establishing legal definitions and potential restrictions on election misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, with a hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026, in the Government, Labor, and Elections committee.

Why is this important

Election integrity concerns have intensified nationwide, with false information potentially affecting voter behavior and public confidence in electoral processes. Maryland's bill attempts to establish a legal framework for addressing digitally manipulated content and false claims about voting, which could serve as a model—or cautionary example—for other states.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech concerns: Defining and restricting "misinformation" raises constitutional questions about where lines fall between protected speech and actionable false statements, particularly regarding opinion versus factual claims
  • Enforcement mechanisms: The bill's specifics remain unclear at this early stage, but enforcement could be controversial—who determines what qualifies as misinformation, and what penalties apply?
  • Deepfake technology definitions: Rapidly evolving synthetic media technology may be difficult to legally define in ways that remain effective as technology advances, risking either under-inclusive or overbroad language

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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