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SB 64

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris West

Allows Maryland legal notices to be published in digital newspapers instead of requiring print publication, modernizing requirements as print circulation declines.

First Reading Judicial Proceedings
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Bill Summary · SB 64

Legislative bill overview

SB 64 updates Maryland's legal advertising requirements to permit legal notices and advertisements to be published in digital newspapers, not just print editions. The bill modernizes the definition of "newspaper in general circulation" to include online publications that meet certain circulation and accessibility standards.

Why is this important

Legal notices—such as foreclosures, court proceedings, business dissolutions, and public hearings—currently must appear in print newspapers, a requirement that becomes increasingly burdensome as print circulation declines and digital readership grows. This change reduces costs for businesses, courts, and government agencies while potentially expanding public access to legal notices through digital platforms.

Potential points of contention

  • Digital divide concerns: Online-only notices may exclude residents without reliable internet access or digital literacy, potentially affecting vulnerable populations' awareness of legal proceedings affecting them.
  • Verification and authentication: Standards for what qualifies as a legitimate "digital newspaper in general circulation" need clear definition to prevent notices from appearing in obscure or unreliable publications.
  • Archive accessibility: Questions about long-term digital preservation and searchability of legal notices compared to microfilm archives of print newspapers, which have proven durability.

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

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