Bill > HB364

This bill strengthens Maryland's child pornography laws by establishing stricter penalties and more comprehensive definitions for illegal image possession. The bill creates new provisions that make it a felony to possess 100 or more images of child pornography, with potential imprisonment up to 10 years. Additionally, the law specifically criminalizes possession of any images depicting a minor or an individual who appears to be under 13 years old, regardless of the number of images. The bill provides detailed definitions for what constitutes an "image" (including photos, videos, and computer-generated content) and specifies how multiple images are counted (e.g., each video is counted as 20 images). Importantly, the bill allows sentences for these offenses to be served separately from and consecutively or concurrently with sentences for other related crimes. The legislation also clarifies that prosecutors do not need to identify the specific minor in cases where the child's identity is unknown or outside the jurisdiction. The new law will take effect on October 1, 2025, and represents a significant enhancement of Maryland's legal protections against child exploitation and pornography.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0364?ys=2025RS