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Bill

SB 141

Election Law - Election Misinformation, Election Disinformation, and Deepfakes

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Brooks and 5 co-sponsors

Maryland bill restricts election-related misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes to protect electoral integrity while navigating free speech and enforcement complexities.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 444
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 141

Legislative bill overview

SB 141 addresses false information and synthetic media in Maryland elections by establishing restrictions on election misinformation, disinformation, and deepfake content. The bill has progressed through the legislative process with amendments and is currently in second reading. The exact provisions are not detailed in the action history provided, but the bill's focus centers on regulating deceptive electoral content.

Why is this important

Election integrity has become a major policy concern nationwide as technology enables increasingly convincing false or manipulated content. States are experimenting with different regulatory approaches to combat false electoral claims and synthetic media while balancing free speech protections. Maryland's approach will influence how other states address these emerging threats to electoral accuracy and voter confidence.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech and definitional challenges: Distinguishing between protected political speech, opinion, satire, and unlawful "disinformation" is legally complex; overly broad definitions risk suppressing legitimate discourse
  • Enforcement mechanisms: Who determines violations and what penalties apply remains unclear—questions about due process, appeals, and whether enforcement falls on election officials, courts, or platforms
  • Deepfake regulation scope: Whether restrictions apply only to deceptive election-related deepfakes or broader synthetic media, and how technology can reliably detect and prove manipulated content

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

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