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HB 1425

relative to the development of an online wetlands permit processing system.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tanya Donnelly

HB 1425 expands Maryland identity fraud laws to ban using AI/deepfakes to impersonate or harm, adds tougher penalties, and creates civil relief for victims.

Signed by Governor Ayotte 06/12/2026; Chapter 132; eff. 08/11/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1425

Summary — HB 1425

Criminal Law — Identity Fraud — Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake Representations

Status: Hearing scheduled 3/11 at 1:00 p.m. (Assigned to Judiciary)
Primary sponsor: Delegate Wilson (Maryland). Cross-file: SB 905. Fiscal note prepared by Maryland Department of Legislative Services.

Purpose / Intent

HB 1425 updates Maryland’s identity‑fraud laws to address harms enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) and “deepfake” media. The bill (1) expands prohibited uses of personal identifying information to include causing harm, (2) broadens the prohibition on assuming another’s identity to cover harassment, intimidation, threats, and coercion, (3) prohibits using AI or deepfake representations to impersonate or defraud, and (4) creates a civil cause of action for victims.

Key definitions added

  • “Artificial intelligence”: as defined in §3.5‑801 of the State Finance & Procurement Article.
  • “Deepfake representation”: a photo, film, video, audio recording, digital/computer‑generated image, etc., that is indistinguishable from an actual, identifiable human being. (Excludes drawings, cartoons, sculptures, paintings.)
  • “Indistinguishable from an actual and identifiable human being”: an image an ordinary person would conclude is of a real, identifiable human; includes computer‑generated images adapted to appear real.
  • “Harm”: physical injury, serious emotional distress, or economic damages.
  • Existing definition of “personal identifying information” (name, SSN, DOB, biometric identifiers, account numbers, etc.) retained and clarified.

Main substantive changes

  • Prohibits knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent using another’s personal identifying information without consent to cause harm.
  • Expands the ban on assuming another’s identity (including fictitious identities) to include acts intended to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce.
  • Prohibits knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent using AI or a deepfake to:
    • impersonate, falsely depict, or claim to represent another person to defraud, mislead, or cause harm; or
    • create or distribute false records intended to harm, induce disclosure of personal identifying information, or obtain benefits/values.
  • Civil remedy: victims of the AI/deepfake prohibition may sue in court for injunctions and other appropriate relief.

Penalties

  • Existing value‑based penalty structure for identity fraud remains (misdemeanor to felony tiers tied to monetary thresholds: <$1,500 up to 1 year; $1,500–<$25,000 up to 5 years; $25,000–<$100,000 up to 10 years; ≥$100,000 up to 20 years; fines vary up to $25,000).
  • Specific AI/deepfake violations:
    • Violation involving one victim: felony, up to 5 years imprisonment and/or up to $10,000 fine.
    • Violation involving two or more victims: felony, up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to $15,000 fine.
  • Existing felony for manufacturing/distributing another’s personal identifying information (without consent) remains (up to 10 years and/or $25,000 fine).

Who is affected

  • Individuals or entities that use another’s personal identifying information to cause harm.
  • Persons who create or distribute AI‑generated or deepfake content to impersonate, defraud, or harm others.
  • Victims of AI/deepfake impersonation gain a new civil remedy.
  • Criminal justice actors (courts, prosecutors, public defenders) may see a small number of new cases; the fiscal note anticipates no material statewide fiscal impact and only minimal operational impacts for local/state agencies.

Fiscal / procedural notes

  • Department of Legislative Services: not expected to materially affect State or local finances; limited number of additional cases anticipated.
  • Office of the Public Defender notes possible modest workload increases but likely manageable within existing resources.
  • Cross-filed as SB 905.

Practical effect

HB 1425 modernizes Maryland’s identity‑fraud law to explicitly cover harms enabled by AI and deepfake technologies, creates tailored criminal penalties for AI/deepfake misuse, expands protections against identity assumption used to harass or threaten, and authorizes civil relief for victims.

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

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