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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
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*sb0121*
SENATE BILL 121
P1, E4 6lr1660
(PRE–FILED) CF 6lr1662
By: Senator Hester
Requested: November 1, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Personal Information – Public Servant Protections 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing a certain protected individual or the agency, entity, or office 3
that the protected individual serves or served to request that a governmental entity 4
or person not publish personal information on the Internet, social media, or social 5
networks or that the governmental entity or person remove the information from any 6
existing publication; specifying certain procedures for the protection of personal 7
information of a protected individual; authorizing certain relief for a violation of this 8
Act; establishing a criminal penalty for publicly posting the personal information of 9
a protected individual under certain circumstances; establishing the Public Servant 10
Address Confidentiality Program administered by the Secretary of State; and 11
generally relating to the protection of personal information. 12
BY adding to 13
Article – State Government 14
Section 7 –401 through 7 –405 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 4. Personal 15
Information – Public Servant Protections” 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 19
Article – Real Property 20
Section 3–114(a) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 23
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 24
Article – Real Property 25
Section 3–114(d) 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
2 SENATE BILL 121
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 1
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 2
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 3
Article – State Government 4
SUBTITLE 4. PERSONAL INFORMATION – PUBLIC SERVANT PROTECTIONS. 5
7–401. 6
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 7
INDICATED. 8
(B) “ACTUAL ADDRESS ” MEANS A RESIDENTIAL STREET ADDRESS , 9
INCLUDING PRIMARY RE SIDENCE OR SECONDARY RESIDENCE, OF A PROTECTED 10
INDIVIDUAL AS SPECIFIED ON THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL’S APPLICATION TO BE A 11
PROGRAM PARTICIPANT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 12
(C) “GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY” MEANS A STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL 13
ENTITY. 14
(D) (1) “PERSONAL INFORMATION” MEANS: 15
(I) A HOME ADDRESS; 16
(II) A HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER; 17
(III) A MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER; 18
(IV) A PERSONAL E–MAIL ADDRESS; 19
(V) A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER; 20
(VI) A DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBER; 21
(VII) A FEDERAL TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER; 22
(VIII) A BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER; 23
(IX) A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD NUMBER; 24
(X) A LICENSE PLATE NUMB ER OR UNIQUE IDENTIF IER OF A 25
VEHICLE; 26
SENATE BILL 121 3
(XI) A BIRTH OR MARITAL RECORD; 1
(XII) A CHILD’S NAME; 2
(XIII) A SCHOOL OR DAYCARE; 3
(XIV) A PLACE OF WORSHIP; OR 4
(XV) A PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL DESCRIBED IN 5
SUBSECTION (G)(8) OF THIS SECTION. 6
(2) “PERSONAL INFORMATION” DOES NOT INCLUDE: 7
(I) INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN PUBLICLY DISCLOSED WITH 8
THE CONSENT OF THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL; OR 9
(II) INFORMATION THAT IS R ELEVANT TO AND DISPL AYED AS 10
PART OF A NEWS STORY, COMMENTARY, AN EDITORIAL, OR ANY OTHER SPEECH ON 11
MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN. 12
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE PUBLIC SERVANT ADDRESS 13
CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM. 14
(F) “PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ” MEANS A PROTECTED IN DIVIDUAL 15
DESIGNATED AS A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 16
(G) “PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL” MEANS: 17
(1) AN ATTORNEY EMPLOYED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY 18
GENERAL; 19
(2) THE STATE PROSECUTOR; 20
(3) A STATE’S ATTORNEY OR ASSISTANT STATE’S ATTORNEY; 21
(4) A U.S. ATTORNEY OR OTHER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR DOMICILED 22
IN THE STATE; 23
(5) A CURRENT OR RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFI CER AS 24
DEFINED IN § 1–101 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ARTICLE; 25
4 SENATE BILL 121
(6) A CURRENT OR RETIRED MEMBER OF A POLICE FORCE OR OTHER 1
UNIT OF THE UNITED STATES WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREVENTION A ND 2
DETECTION OF CRIME A ND THE ENFORCEMENT O F THE CRIMINAL LAWS OF THE 3
UNITED STATES DOMICILED IN THE STATE; 4
(7) A FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL; OR 5
(8) A SPOUSE, A CHILD, OR A DEPENDENT WHO RESIDES IN THE SAME 6
HOUSEHOLD AS AN INDI VIDUAL DESCRIBED IN ITEMS (1) THROUGH (7) OF THIS 7
SUBSECTION. 8
(H) “PUBLISH” MEANS TO POST OR OTH ERWISE MAKE AVAILABL E TO THE 9
GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE INTERNET, SOCIAL MEDIA, OR SOCIAL NETWORKS. 10
7–402. 11
(A) A PROTECTED IND IVIDUAL, OR THE AGENCY , ENTITY, OR OFFICE IN 12
WHICH THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL SERVES OR SERVED, MAY REQUEST THAT A 13
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY: 14
(1) NOT PUBLISH THE PROT ECTED INDIVIDUAL ’S PERSONAL 15
INFORMATION; OR 16
(2) REMOVE THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL 17
INFORMATION FROM ANY EXISTING PUBLICATION. 18
(B) A REQUEST MADE UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL: 19
(1) BE IN WRITING; 20
(2) BE SENT BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY E–MAIL; 21
(3) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION , 22
PROVIDE SUFFICIENT I NFORMATION TO CONFIRM THAT THE REQ UESTER IS A 23
PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL; AND 24
(4) ADEQUATELY IDENTIFY THE DOCUMENT , POSTING, OR OTHER 25
PUBLICATION CONTAINING THE PERSONAL INFORMATION. 26
(C) A REQUEST MADE BY AN A GENCY, ENTITY, OR OFFICE IN WHICH A 27
PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL SERVES OR SERVED CER TIFIES THAT A REQUES TER IS A 28
PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL AND NO FURTHER INFOR MATION MAY BE REQUIR ED TO 29
CONFIRM THAT THE REQUESTER IS A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL. 30
SENATE BILL 121 5
(D) ON RECEIPT OF A REQUE ST UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, 1
A GOVERNMENTAL ENTIT Y SHALL PROMPTLY ACK NOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE 2
REQUEST IN WRITING BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY E–MAIL AND: 3
(1) TAKE STEPS REASONABL Y NECESSARY TO ENSUR E THAT THE 4
PERSONAL INFORMATION IS NOT PUBLISHED; OR 5
(2) IF THE PERSONAL INFO RMATION IS ALREADY P UBLISHED, 6
PROVIDE FOR THE REMO VAL OF THE PERSONAL INFORMATION WITHIN 72 HOURS 7
AFTER RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST. 8
(E) A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL , OR THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY 9
GENERAL ON BEHALF OF A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL, MAY BRING AN ACTION FOR A 10
VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION AGAINST A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY FOR: 11
(1) DECLARATORY RELIEF; 12
(2) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; OR 13
(3) REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. 14
7–403. 15
(A) A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL , OR THE AGEN CY, ENTITY, OR OFFICE IN 16
WHICH THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL SERVES OR SERVED, MAY REQUEST THAT A 17
PERSON WHO HAS PUBLI SHED THE PROTECTED I NDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL 18
INFORMATION REMOVE T HE PROTECTED INDIVID UAL’S PERSONAL INFORMATI ON 19
FROM PUBLICATION. 20
(B) A REQUEST MADE UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL: 21
(1) BE IN WRITING; 22
(2) BE SENT BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY E–MAIL; 23
(3) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION , 24
PROVIDE SUFFICIENT I NFORMATION TO CONFIR M THAT THE REQUESTER IS A 25
PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL; AND 26
(4) ADEQUATELY IDENTIFY THE DOCUMENT , POSTING, OR OTHER 27
PUBLICATION CONTAINING THE PERSONAL INFORMATION. 28
6 SENATE BILL 121
(C) A REQUEST MADE BY AN A GENCY, ENTITY, OR OFFICE IN WHICH A 1
PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL SERVES OR SERVED CER TIFIES THAT A REQUES TER IS A 2
PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL AND NO FURTHER I NFORMATION MAY BE RE QUIRED TO 3
CONFIRM THAT THE REQUESTER IS A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL. 4
(D) THE PERSON TO WHOM THE REQUEST IS MADE SHALL: 5
(1) PROVIDE FOR THE REMO VAL OF THE PERSONAL INFORMATION 6
WITHIN 72 HOURS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST; AND 7
(2) NOTIFY THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL OR THE OF FICE IN WHICH 8
THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL SERVES OR SERVED BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY E–MAIL 9
OF THE REMOVAL. 10
(E) (1) A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL, OR THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY 11
GENERAL ON BEHALF OF A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL, MAY BRING AN ACTION FOR A 12
VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION AGAINST A PERSON FOR: 13
(I) DECLARATORY RELIEF; 14
(II) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; 15
(III) DAMAGES INCURRED AS THE RESULT OF A VIOL ATION OF 16
THIS SECTION; OR 17
(IV) REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. 18
(2) IN ADDITION TO THE RE LIEF PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) 19
OF THIS SUBSECTION, IF A COURT FINDS THA T A PERSON WILLFULLY REFUSED TO 20
PROVIDE FOR THE REMO VAL OF PERSONAL INFO RMATION KNOWING THAT THE 21
INDIVIDUAL ON BEHALF OF WHOM THE REQUEST WAS MADE WAS A P ROTECTED 22
INDIVIDUAL, THE COURT MAY AWARD PUNITIVE DAMAGES. 23
7–404. 24
(A) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT KNOWINGLY PUBLISH TH E PERSONAL 25
INFORMATION OF A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL IF: 26
(1) THE INDIVIDUAL KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW THAT 27
PUBLISHING THE PERSO NAL INFORMATION POSES AN IMMINENT AND SERIOUS 28
THREAT TO THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL; AND 29
(2) THE PUBLISHING OF THE PERSONAL INFORMATION RESULTS IN: 30
SENATE BILL 121 7
(I) AN ASSAULT IN ANY DEGREE; 1
(II) HARASSMENT; 2
(III) TRESPASS; OR 3
(IV) MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. 4
(B) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO VIO LATES THIS SECTION I S GUILTY OF A 5
MISDEMEANOR AND ON C ONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO IMPRISONMENT NOT 6
EXCEEDING 18 MONTHS OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $5,000 OR BOTH. 7
7–405. 8
(A) THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION IS TO: 9
(1) ENABLE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS 10
FOR PUBLIC RECORDS WITHOUT DISCLOSING THE ACTUAL ADDRESS OF A PROGRAM 11
PARTICIPANT; 12
(2) ENCOURAGE INTERAGENC Y COOPERATION IN PRO VIDING 13
ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; AND 14
(3) ALLOW GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIE S AND PERSONS TO ACC EPT A 15
PROGRAM PARTICIPANT’S USE OF AN ADDRESS DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY OF 16
STATE AS A SUBSTITUTE ADDRESS. 17
(B) (1) THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A 18
PUBLIC SERVANT ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM FOR PROTECTED 19
INDIVIDUALS. 20
(2) A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL MAY APPLY TO PARTICI PATE IN THE 21
PROGRAM IN THE MANNER REQUIRED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE. 22
(3) ON RECEIPT OF AN APPL ICATION TO PARTICIPA TE IN THE 23
PROGRAM, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL DETERMIN E WHETHER THE 24
APPLICANT QUALIFIES AS A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT. 25
(C) (1) A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT MAY: 26
8 SENATE BILL 121
(I) REQUEST THAT A PERSON OR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY USE 1
A SUBSTITUTE ADDRESS DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AS THE 2
PROGRAM PARTICIPANT’S ADDRESS; 3
(II) REQUEST THE SHIELDING OF REAL PROPERTY RECORDS IN 4
ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 3, SUBTITLE 1, PART II OF THE REAL PROPERTY 5
ARTICLE; AND 6
(III) REQUEST THAT A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S ACTUAL 7
ADDRESS BE SHIELDED FROM PUBLIC INSPECTION IN A RECORD MAINTAINED BY A 8
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY. 9
(2) ON RECEIPT OF A REQUE ST UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 10
SUBSECTION BY A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT, A PERSON OR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY 11
SHALL: 12
(I) PROMPTLY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE REQUE ST IN 13
WRITING BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY E–MAIL; AND 14
(II) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH S (3) AND (4) OF THIS 15
SUBSECTION, TAKE STEPS REASONABL Y NECESSARY TO COMPL Y WITH THE 16
REQUEST. 17
(3) A CUSTODIAN OF RECORD MAY: 18
(I) MAINTAIN A COPY OF A RECORD CONTAINING A PROGRAM 19
PARTICIPANT’S ACTUAL ADDRESS IN A SEPARATE SECURE AREA TO WHICH PERSONS 20
WHO DO NOT HAVE A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR ACCESS ARE DENIED ACCESS; 21
(II) PERMIT PUBLIC INSPEC TION OF A RECORD WIT H THE 22
CONSENT OF THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT; 23
(III) PERMIT PUBLIC INSPEC TION OF A RECORD WIT H THE 24
ACTUAL ADDRESS REDACTED FROM THE RECORD; OR 25
(IV) AFTER NOTIFICATION T O THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT , 26
PERMIT PUBLIC INSPEC TION OF A RECORD IF THE INSPECTION WILL FURTHER A 27
SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC INTEREST OR A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS NEED. 28
(4) (I) EACH LOCAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL USE A PROGRAM 29
PARTICIPANT’S ACTUAL ADDRESS FOR ALL ELECTION–RELATED PURPOSES. 30
SENATE BILL 121 9
(II) A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT MAY NOT USE THE SUBST ITUTE 1
ADDRESS DESIGNATED B Y THE SECRETARY OF STATE AS THE PROGRAM 2
PARTICIPANT’S ADDRESS FOR: 3
1. VOTER REGISTRATION; 4
2. A CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY FILED UNDER § 5–301 5
OF THE ELECTION LAW ARTICLE; OR 6
3. CAMPAIGN FINANCE REP ORTING REQUIREMENTS 7
UNDER TITLE 13 OF THE ELECTION LAW ARTICLE. 8
(III) A LOCAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS MAY NOT MAKE A PROGRAM 9
PARTICIPANT’S ADDRESS CONTAINED IN VOTER REGISTRATIO N, CERTIFICATE OF 10
CANDIDACY, OR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING RECORDS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC 11
INSPECTION OR COPYING EXCEPT: 12
1. ON REQUEST BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY F OR 13
LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES; 14
2. AS DIRECTED BY A COURT ORDER T O DISCLOSE THE 15
ADDRESS; AND 16
3. FOR A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT W HO IS AN ELECTED 17
OFFICIAL, AS REQUIRED UNDER STATE ELECTION LAW. 18
(D) A RECORD OF A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ’S ACTUAL ADDRESS AND 19
TELEPHONE NUMBER MAI NTAINED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE OR A 20
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY IS NOT A PUBLIC RECO RD WITHIN THE MEANIN G OF § 21
4–101 OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE. 22
(E) (1) A PERSON MAY NOT KNOWI NGLY DISCLOSE A PROGRAM 23
PARTICIPANT’S ACTUAL ADDRESS. 24
(2) A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL , OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON 25
BEHALF OF A PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL, MAY BRING AN ACTION FOR A VIOLATION OF 26
THIS SUBSECTION FOR: 27
(I) DECLARATORY RELIEF; 28
(II) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; OR 29
(III) REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. 30
10 SENATE BILL 121
Article – Real Property 1
3–114. 2
(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(d) “Address Confidentiality Program” means [the]: 4
(1) THE Address Confidentiality Program for survivors of threatened, 5
attempted, or actual domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or human 6
trafficking administered by the Secretary under Title 7, Subtitle 3 of the State Government 7
Article; 8
(2) THE PUBLIC SERVANT ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM 9
ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER TITLE 7, 10
SUBTITLE 4 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; and [the] 11
(3) THE Judicial Address Confidentiality Program administered by the 12
Administrative Office of the Courts under Title 3, Subtitle 24 of the Courts Article. 13
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take ef fect 14
October 1, 2026. 15