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Bill

SB 92

Peace Orders and Criminal Harassment - Intentional Visual Surveillance

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Corderman

Maryland expands peace order protections to cover intentional visual surveillance as criminal harassment, allowing victims legal recourse against non-consensual monitoring activities.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 575
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Bill Summary · SB 92

Legislative bill overview

SB 92 expands Maryland's peace order protections to include intentional visual surveillance as a form of criminal harassment. The bill allows victims to seek peace orders against individuals who engage in non-consensual surveillance activities, establishing legal recourse for this behavior without requiring physical contact or threats.

Why is this important

Visual surveillance—such as recording someone without consent, following with surveillance equipment, or using technology to monitor someone's location or activities—has become easier to conduct but was previously difficult to address through peace orders. This law closes a gap in harassment protections for victims experiencing this form of invasion of privacy, particularly relevant given advances in hidden cameras and tracking technology.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: The bill's specific definitions of "intentional visual surveillance" may be interpreted broadly or narrowly, potentially affecting what conduct qualifies and creating enforcement inconsistencies
  • First Amendment concerns: Some may argue that certain surveillance activities constitute protected expression or journalism, raising questions about where to draw legal boundaries
  • Burden of proof: Establishing intent to conduct surveillance and linking it to harassment may create evidentiary challenges that vary across judicial proceedings
  • Technology and consent: Gray areas may exist around consensual vs. non-consensual recording in shared spaces or relationships transitioning from consensual to non-consensual monitoring

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

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