Maryland2026Active
HB0010
Rules for Publishing Legal Notices in Print and Digital Newspapers
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 4:24 AM
In one sentence
This law sets new rules that digital publications must follow to publish legal notices, including hiring local news staff and keeping public archives.
What it does
- Defines 'newspaper' or 'newspaper in general circulation' to include print, digital-only, or combined publications covering local news in more than three counties in Maryland.
- Requires qualifying digital publications to employ at least one full-time worker (working at least 30 hours per week) who lives within 50 miles of the area and writes or edits local news.
- Mandates that qualifying digital publications publish at least one article per week about public interest matters for the county or city during the previous year.
- Limits funding sources for tax-exempt (501(c)(3)) digital publishers so they do not get more than half their money from political groups or certain other nonprofits like 501(c)(4), (5), or (6) organizations.
- Requires digital publications to keep a public archive of all legal advertisements and notices they have published.
Who it affects
- Digital-only news websites that want to publish legal ads in Maryland counties or cities.
- Print newspapers that also operate as digital publishers.
- Counties and municipalities, such as Prince George's County and Dorchester County, which have specific rules for publishing notices.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not specify how the public will access or search through the required digital archives.
- It is unclear if existing publications that do not currently meet these new hiring rules have time to adjust before October 1, 2026.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice
- Official public announcements required by law, courts, or government orders to inform the community about events like sales, hearings, or changes in laws.
- Newspaper in General Circulation
- A publication that meets specific state rules for size, frequency, and content so it can legally publish official notices.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Establishing certain requirements for the print or digital publication of legal advertisements and notices in counties and municipalities in the State; requiring digital publications that publish a legal advertisement or notice to maintain an archive of all published legal advertisements and legal notices that shall be available to the public; and requiring digital publications that publish a legal advertisement or notice to employ at least one employee whose duties include reporting, writing, or editing local news and information.
Official activity
Bill history
- In the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings