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HB 74

Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice - Publication in Newspaper or Newspaper in General Circulation - Digital Newspapers

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Conaway and 3 co-sponsors

Maryland permits legal notices in digital newspapers alongside print, modernizing publication requirements to reflect current media consumption while maintaining broad public notice standards.

Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 74

Legislative bill overview

HB 74 modernizes Maryland's legal notice publication requirements by allowing legal advertisements and notices to be published in digital newspapers, not just print newspapers. The bill expands the definition of "newspaper in general circulation" to include digital/online publications that meet certain circulation standards.

Why is this important

Legal notices—such as foreclosures, business dissolutions, court proceedings, and public hearings—currently must be published in print newspapers, an increasingly outdated requirement as readership shifts online. This bill reduces costs for businesses and government entities while potentially reaching a broader audience through digital platforms that many citizens now prefer.

Potential points of contention

  • Small newspaper survival concerns: Print newspaper publishers may worry this accelerates their decline by legitimizing digital-only competitors, potentially harming local journalism funding
  • Public access equity: Questions about whether digital-only publications ensure notices reach all demographics (elderly, low-income, or digitally disconnected populations)
  • Definition and standards: The bill's criteria for what qualifies as a "newspaper in general circulation" digitally may be unclear, potentially allowing inadequate platforms or creating disputes over legitimacy

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

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