CHAPTER 377
(Senate Bill 689)

AN ACT concerning

Crimes - Use of Cameras and Visual Surveillance

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from placing or procuring another to place a
camera on real property for purposes of conducting deliberate surreptitious
observation of persons inside a private residence on the property under certain
circumstances; prohibiting certain persons from conducting or procuring
another to conduct visual surveillance with a certain intent in certain private
places; providing that ownership is not a defense under certain circumstances;
providing a certain defense; providing certain penalties; providing for a civil
cause of action; providing certain exceptions; providing that this Act does not
abrogate or limit certain other remedies; providing for the application of this
Act; defining certain terms; and generally relating to use of cameras and visual
surveillance.

BY renumbering

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 579C, respectively
to be Section 579, respectively
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 579A and 579B
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section(s) 579C of Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments of the
Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 579.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland
read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

579A.

(A) IN THIS SECTION, "CAMERA" INCLUDES ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE THAT
CAN BE USED TO OBSERVE SURREPTITIOUSLY A PERSON.

(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO:

(1) AN ADULT RESIDENT OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE;