Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB437: Criminal Law – Theft and Fraud Crimes – Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Providing for the valuation of a gift card for the purpose of determining value for crimes involving theft; prohibiting a person, with the intent to defraud another, from altering or tampering with a gift card or its packaging; and providing that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor or gift card forgery and on conviction is subject to imprisonment of up to 18 months or a fine of up to $500 or both.
What the bill says
An act concerning Criminal Law - Theft and Fraud Crimes - Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards FOR the purpose of providing for the valuation of a gift card for the purpose of determining value for crimes involving theft; prohibiting a person, with the intent to defraud another, from altering or tampering with a gift card or its packaging; and generally relating to crimes involving gift cards…
From the enrolled text, May 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Theft and Fraud Crimes - Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards FOR the purpose of providing for the valuation of a gift card for the purpose of determining value for crimes involving theft; prohibiting a person, with the intent to defraud another, from altering or tampering with a gift card or its packaging; and generally relating to crimes involving gift cards. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Commercial Law Section 14-4901(a), (b), and (e) Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 7-103(a) and (b) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Criminal Law Section 7-103(h) and 8-409 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Commercial Law 14-4901. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Closed-loop gift card" means a card, code, or device that is: (1) Issued to a consumer on a prepaid basis primarily for personal, family, or household purposes in a specified amount, regardless of whether that amount may be increased or reloaded in exchange for payment; and Ch. 456 2026 LAWS …
Sponsors
- William Folden (R, 4) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 456
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (120-0)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Judiciary
- : Referred Judiciary
- : Third Reading Passed (45-0)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {453926/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (120-0) (April 3, 2026): 120 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (45-0) (March 12, 2026): 45 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB437?
- SB437 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal Law – Theft and Fraud Crimes – Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards.
- What does SB437 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Criminal Law - Theft and Fraud Crimes - Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards FOR the purpose of providing for the valuation of a gift card for the purpose of determining value for crimes involving theft; prohibiting a person, with the intent to defraud another, from altering or tampering with a gift card or its packaging; and generally relating to crimes involving gift cards…
- What is the status of SB437?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 456 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB437?
- William Folden (R, 4).
- Where is the official record for SB437?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0437?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.