Bill > HB5

This bill updates Maryland's laws related to child sexual abuse material by expanding the definition of "computer-generated image" to explicitly include images created through artificial intelligence (AI) software. The bill replaces the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" throughout various sections of Maryland law and introduces new provisions for handling such material. Specifically, the bill requires interactive computer service providers to report and remove child sexual abuse material from their servers when notified by law enforcement, with potential fines for non-compliance. The legislation also allows law enforcement to use facial recognition technology specifically in investigations of child sexual abuse material offenses and requires county libraries to adopt policies preventing minors from accessing obscene materials or child sexual abuse material through internet-connected library computers. The bill aims to modernize legal definitions and procedures to address emerging technologies like AI that can be used to create sexually explicit images of minors, providing law enforcement and technology platforms with clearer guidelines for identifying and removing such content. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0005?ys=2025RS